I had an interesting debate on Linked In recently after I posted my blog “Some frightening statistics about small business” onto a discussion group. I thought my point was that if more small business owner operators were inspired and equipped to grow a valuable asset rather than settle for a low paying job, our economy would be better off – and a whole bunch of people would retire with enough wealth to lead a life of freedom, instead of having to panic when they get too old to keep doing that job any more.
The debate that raged on Linked In seemed to be between me and a strong school of thought that believes if you don’t have the potential to be the next Rod Drury (CEO of Xero) or Richard Branson then you should not have aspirations to grow. “Leave them alone” the argument went – let the small thinkers stay small and let’s put our energies into the big thinkers who will be the next global dominators. This is where the real gains are to be made.
Sorry I can’t do it. For every small thinker I can help become a bigger thinker, I will feel my work is worthwhile. Between the billion dollar global business and the solo operator plumber there are a myriad of other business types, sizes, aspirations and dreams. My work is to encourage others to see their business as a potentially valuable asset, not just a job. It could be a desire to build a business that generates $60k per annum passive income, or a $100,000 sale. Or $500,000 sale, or $3 million or $10 million. Or $100 million. I don’t put a judgement on the size of someone’s business or the size of their dream. I just want people to be aware that they have choice. To choose the easy road now and not think about building something of value as you go will inevitably lead to a road that’s harder down the track. To choose a harder road now and learn to build something greater than a job for yourself, will increase your chances of a life of freedom down the track.
I just want to give people more choices through education and inspiration. Not every owner operator wants to grow of course. That’s fine, let them work out their retirement their own way, sure. But some do and don’t know how, some lack confidence, some lack knowledge. My mission is to provide the motivation and then the tools to give small business owners a better chance at creating value.
So to all small business people who don’t aim to take on the world, but want to make a difference to their lives, their families and their communities. Rock on. I won’t leave you alone.
Thanks for listening to my rant!
From the desk of Liber8me. Business mentors and author of Liber8 your Business: The revolutionary business planning technique that will set every small business owner free.