Devoted to small businesses and those who run them

I had the pleasure of "meeting" Bud Bilanich today thanks to a comment he was kind enough to leave here at SmallBizMentor.  I'm glad I took the time to visit his blog, because I've had the opportunity to read an amazing story and learn much more about "the power of 1".

Those of you who are solopreneurs may find yourselves wondering, from time to time, if you are really making any difference with your efforts.  After all, isn't Big Business where it's at?  Would you be better off in a cubicle on someone's payroll, rather than following your dreams and fighting your way to your goals?

I vote no.  That's why I'm creating a new category here at SmallBizMentor called "Serving Others".  I want to know how you think we, as solopreneurs, home- and small-based business people, can help others.  Tell me about your favorite cause, the people and the organizations that you are inspired by, and how you believe a single person, a single light on the hill, can help.

As you can see from Alex's story, each of us truly does have the power to do good and serve others.  There are companies out there who choose to do "good" for good PR, and we've discussed here how important it is to support a cause for the right reasons. 

If you're doing it for the right reasons, the good PR (or a visit from the PR Karma Fairy, I suppose) will probably happen.  But if you're doing it for the right reasons, it won't matter.  The Big Boys may have (in some cases) more money to throw around, but we Little Dogs can throw our hearts, minds and bodies into what we believe.  We're empowered...we're in charge...we are the bosses of our businesses!

What will matter is that you used your power -- your drive, your talent, your skills, your resources, your dreams -- to serve others.  If, by striking out on your own, this is what you accomplish, then you've done well and rightly.

As Bud has phrased it so perfectly, I'll leave you with a quote from his post about Alex:

"Alex Scott believed she could make a difference – and she did.  If a very sick child can make a difference, you can too.  Believe in yourself, and then do what it takes to succeed.  Unleash your personal power of 1!"