There’s a running joke in our house.
Whenever we talk about the global economy or the root of problems in the world, at some point I will gratuitously throw in “It’s Carl Icahn’s fault.” Maybe it’s because he’s the one who took over and destroyed Motorola at a time when I knew people who worked there, but he epitomizes for me what’s wrong with capitalism right now—at least through the eyes of big business: Consumers and employees have been sacrificed in favor of Boards and profit. Tens of thousands laid-off, leaving hundreds of thousands of children and families struggling to survive, all so the CEO and Board members can maximize profit, using real-people with real-lives as pawns in the process.
Don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with making money. You’re not in business if you are not making money. And talking about money, projecting cashflow and revenue and rates—all are at the core of running a successful business.
Microentrepreneurs in Their Hero Capes
But you can be nice about it. And that’s where microentrepreneurs come in. Microentrepreneur, by definition, just means fewer than ten employees, often having started using personal capital from savings or even credit cards. You have to be nice because many of your clients are local or through personal connections. With fewer employees, you have the ability to care for each one individually, allowing them to be fully and authentically themselves.
You are a Superhero
What’s most exciting right now is that with newer systems and communications technologies, smaller in size doesn’t always mean smaller in reach. “Small” isn’t mutually exclusive from a “Growth Plan.” I’m seeing colleagues, peers and clients hiring, talking about strategy and growth. “Have your assistant schedule that meeting with my assistant” is no longer the purview of “VIP’s.” It’s microentrepreneurs who are outsourcing to other microentrepreneurs, so everyone wins.
You bring positivity to the world with everything that you do. By serving clients, by providing opportunities to others. Now imagine that impact exponentially as more and more people thrive as business owners.
Start with thinking about how you serve your community (and then price it). You have the power to positively impact individual lives with everything you do. Use it for good.