Ones Passion, Ones Ideas, Backbone of Capitalism

Joseph Martinez

September 14, 2009

http://www.chandlerhill.com/view/?jmartinez

josephmm@comcast.net

http://amburrosecreation.com

Ones Passion, Ones Ideas, Backbone of Capitalism

May 17 through May 23, 2009 was proclaimed “National Small Business” by Barack Obama. The President’s proclamation recognized the economic impact small businesses have on America’s economy. The private sector, for the last decade, is responsible for 70 percent of new jobs. Imagine an economy without small businesses, half of the jobs in America would be lost. Thus, small businesses spearhead the economy, the backbone of Capitalism. Thus, great ideas are the catalyst for small businesses.

There are organizations that siphon money into research and development to create an idea. How many of these ideas make it to the public? Congress continues to throw money at failing institutions, with the thought that more money will solve the issues at hand. On the other hand, small businesses rely on the creativity of individuals; their unique and innovative ideas are what create money. Examine the following individuals who followed their passions, their ideas.

Mr. Garcia an owner of a convenient store in a small town south of Houston, Texas. As in any marketing analysis, one of the key elements is location, location, location. There is only one road that fed the store located a 3rd of mile from the local high school. Yet the biggest challenge is the infamous Corner Store located at the intersection a 3rd of the mile up the road, just across from the high school. In spite of the obstacles Mr. Garcia speared ahead.

In spite of all the challenges, his passion for customer service provided the avenue to compete with the corporate giant. Rather than cast large sums of money on marketing ideas, Mr. Garcia focused on one: personal customer service. Unlike the corporate giant on the corner, he focused on the consumers as individuals.

He knew that to compete with the corporate giant he had to develop a creative idea. Thus, he personalized the business each patron was an individual, not just a consumer. He learned the craft of memorizing the names of each customer and some personal detail about them. Rather than use a generic greeting (welcome to G&G), each customer was welcomed by his/her name, at times an inquiry about the well being of a family member.

Thus he over came the challenges against him. The store flourished under his ownership, supporting the capitalistic idealism that small business is the backbone of capitalism. Therefore, passion for ones idea is a key to a successful venture. The same can be said of creating a great idea from ones passion.

William “Billy Ray” Wagner ran a successful fence business (Wagner Fence) located on Gulf Coast of Texas. From the very beginning, Bill Ray was successful, creating a culture of quality, honesty, and customer first. Yet his passion always had been the salt water.

Living and working in Galveston, Texas nurtured his love for every thing that encompassed the salt water; whether it was fishing, surfing, jet skiing or just hanging out

listening to the surf as it crashed on the beach, the salt water embracing his soul, as the sunset faded across the Gulf of Mexico. Having accomplished a comfortable life style, Billy Ray’s mind pondered on ventures of the Gulf Coast.

Billy Ray stated “Our love of the saltwater finds its way into every aspect of our lives. From the cars we drive the songs we love, the food we eat, to the clothes we wear. At Saltwater Soul, we have designed a line of apparel and accessories to reflect how we live and who we are.”

From this one idea a new venture began, one idea that has lead to a new corporation, an enterprise that captures the passion of one man, an idea that creates money.

Today, the logo “Salt Water Soul” has turned into a corporation expanding across the Gulf Coast and beyond. What lies ahead is yet to be known. However, it is clear that individuals with such passion should pursue their ideas turning them into an entrepreneurship that creates jobs, revenue, and becomes entwined in capitalism. It is such individuals that drive capitalism the back bone of American economy.

References:

Obama, Barack, (May 15, 2009). Small Business Week. The White House,Office of the Press Secretary. Retrieved from World Wide Web September 9, 2009 http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-Small-Business-Week-5-15-09/

Wagner,Williams, 2009 Salt Water Soul,Retrieved from World Wide Web September 9, 2009. http://www.saltwatersoul.net/store/