Things I need to say, Doom and Gloom

Doom and Gloom in the Small Business?
Having a blog sometimes you can say things that just need saying, Making you feel better saying it even if nobody reads it or gets it. This is one of those rants.
 The weather is bad today in Southwest MO giving me some time to read and digest what is going on in our country with the small business. Winter jobs are hit and miss in the "power washing business". First off power washing is a business not a sideline or something just anybody does, there are people that claim they are power washers but have not invested in their small business with anything but a big box store pressure washer and what it comes with. No tools, no attachments, no heat, no business plan, no insurance, no business licences, or no business sense, only the fact that now they can and will wash your largest investment your home by charging less, than an established power washing contractor.  

Reading articles and financial experts all predict that small business are going to take a hit this year according to several leading news sources. Tax moneys have to pay for an ever expanding government that can not fund its self any longer. Debt is reaching all time highs and not looking to stop growing. Cut backs in are becoming the only way companies can deal with overhead. In our business this may mean a large customer is not having the sidewalks washed and cleaned as often, not having the window cleaned each month, or having to let an employ go. Vendors and suppliers will have to raise the cost of items they produce or sell to off-set lost income. This is then is passed down the ladder all the way to the bottom to the last consumer. The small business man will have to suffer too, by cutting his or her employes or cutting out the new equipment they wanted to purchase for this year. Paying more for the products they need.

Add in the fact that you as a small business man may now have to compete with someone who is not a business. Who does not have to play on the same level field that you do. They don't have overhead, don't pay business taxes, insurance, advertising, rent or withholding or social security tax. This send us right back to the beginning not enough taxes to support the government and down the ladder we go again. The small business man helps the community he or she lives in he or she usually has a family which they support. How many times have you heard someone say, "I was think of having a website set up and letting xyz company do it. Then some says my brother's sister in laws does that on the side and is cheap." or "I think I'll have a new deck put on the back of the house I heard that cbx construction is good. Then someone says Gorge will do that and he does not even have to get a permit to do it." I hear this all the time in my business "my neighbor said he could wash my house and would not cost me to much, can you do that?" My answer is usually "No, I have to do it right my reputation is on the line." We need to  support for the small business man who is following the rules and regulations. 

Then I hear and read today that the the small business man who is the backbone of the country will be taking a even harder hit and have to work even harder for the same money this year it is quite disturbing. If the small business can not support its base of the ladder any longer because of much government, taxes and regulations, and all those hanging on the top of the ladder, it will topple. Producer companies near the top plus vendors and suppliers that sell to this small business will no longer be supplying him or her. From ink, pencils, or new equipment, a new deliver or work van or new location or building, will no longer be needed. This will make the ladder even more unstable each step affection the one above. So answer this question why do we need to support the "small business man or woman" or the "small business" in general. If we all spend a buck or two by letting the "small business" have the job. It may just help to save this ecomeny. Is saving a dollar or two worth it? Somehow, you know you are not getting the best job, if your letting these money saving acquaintance do the work. Really if they were that good and doing the best or the same job why don't they have a business, what about insurance, what if something goes wrong, accidents and mishaps happen all the time. What if we do kill off some of the "small business", who supports the ladder? Who does you job relay on? Who keeps the company you work for going? With out small business paying taxes some one else has to make it up who will that be? 

Let's all pitch in together and prove the doom and gloomers all wrong, let's not let that "small business" down. Support of the small business man or woman in what ever field they are in. Keep the local economy going by using the small business man or woman using and support them will make a difference, help level the field, just by asking a "small business" to do the job, not a friend of friend that may be able to get it done when they can because they are a few dollars cheaper. Ask yourself would you hire a coworker's acquaintance to give you medical help or fix an airplane your family would fly in? Some would say well that is different I would not get just anyone to do that. Case and point. Please help us by supporting you local small business as well as larger business in your area. Lets not let the ladder topple.