Reading the news in the past few days, I am under the impression that, on contrary to what people told me about their small business situation, economy does improve, and small business is on the move, riding the wave.
Perhaps I need to surround myself with more positive people. Perhaps I need to learn from others’ success. Why? Because – from what I read in the past 2-3 days – small business is rockin’.
Okay, let’s start with what’s happening so far. Let’s mention some brilliant small businesses – and the cities and states they are in:
16 Small Businesses on The Verge of a Breakthrough
OpenSky, shopping social network startup, invites small businesses that are ready – and deserve – to expand. The Breakthrough Award will be given to the small business with the most votes.
The 16 nominees include:
Artisan Baking Company, Fort Worth, Texas; Bottle & Bottega, Chicago, Illinois; Campfire In A Can, Henderson, Nevada; C Stone Biodegradables, Los Angeles, California; Dun Well Doughnuts, Brooklyn, Texas; Fat Toad Farm, Brookfield, Vermont; Gunshot Sauce, Knoxville, Tennessee; HauteMealz.com, Tualatin, Oregon; Honeysuckle Gelato, Atlanta, Georgia; Knot By Tiffa, Silver Springs, Maryland; MyWonderfulWalls, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Pop Karma, New York City; Stephen Plaud Design, Tiverton, Rhode Island; Whip Hand Cosmetics, Detroit, Michigan; and Plovgh, Las Vegas, Nevada; DC Brau, Washington D.C.
100 Fastest Growing Inner City Businesses
From a pet relocation service, a wine lifestyle marketer, to a scrap metal regenerator, America’s urban core is home to a variety of fast-growing companies. The Inner City 100 list is ranked by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. To name the top 10:
Happy Family, New York, NY; Revolution Foods, Oakland, CA; Coyote Logistics, Chicago, IL; InGenesis, San Antonio, TX; Neutron Interactive, Salt Lake City, UT; QuoteWizard, Seattle, WA; APB & Associates, Cleveland, OH; Panther Solutions, Rochester, NY; Aspenmark Roofing & Solar, Dallas, TX; Kemp and Sons General Services, Fort Worth, TX
Artemis Electronics, LLC, Prospect; Browns Valley Truck Equipment, Utica; Drug Testing Centers of America, Paintsville; Giovanni’s Pizza, Pikeville; Great Northern Building Products, LLC, Louisville; Lexington Contracting, LLC, Lexington; Measure Consumer Perspectives, Louisville; NaugaNeedles, LLC, Louisville; and Unique Granite and Marble, Owensboro.
Who are they? They are 9 candidates of Kentucky Small Business Development Center’s Kentucky Business Pacesetter Program. The program recognizes Kentucky-based businesses that are changing the economic landscape of the Commonwealth by introducing innovative products, increasing sales and boosting employment. Kudos!
Small Business Driving Denver’s Economic Rebound
According to Jeff Romine, chief economist with the Denver Office of Economic Development, “Denver is the fastest-growing county in Colorado. It is really the place to be if you are starting a business.” The stats say it all: Denver added 12,250 new jobs and formed 1,000 new businesses in 2012. Unemployment rate is down to 7.3 percent vs. 9.2 percent back in 2011.
Small Business is Bigger in Texas
Over the past few years, from the inner cities to out-on-the-range, smaller firms have been stirring the Lone Star State economy. Experts are pointing to a combination of growth-friendly conditions that have small businesses growing in Texas.
Takeaway
If you learn a bit more about the businesses and regions mentioned above, you’ll notice a strong SMB trend is emerging: They are not reinventing the wheel; they only make things better. What makes those businesses different is the fact that they are inspirational. They changes how things work; they help others do things easier; they help growing the local economy – and create new jobs along the way.
Let’s conclude this blog post with a success story.
If you observe that something is missing in your local community, explore that, find ideas, take action and start a business. Shazi Visram wants to change the way children are fed, and she did just that by starting a business named Happy Family – an organic baby food company. Today, Happy Family has products in over 30 countries and 17,000 stores. Annual sales are approximately $60 million. Two weeks ago, Happy Family was acquired by Danone, which now own 90% of the company.
Photo credit: Emerging Brands Marketing
