With California grappling with a major recession, record-high unemployment, and a massive state budget deficit, it is easy to understand how one can become greatly depressed about the future of the entrepreneurial spirit in our great state. However, when I witness sterling examples of great potential and perseverance of our youth despite the current recession, I am regularly reminded of the great hope and promise our future holds.
Earlier this month, NFIB/California was pleased to announce the 2009 winners of our Young Entrepreneur Awards (YEA). Six students from around the state were awarded scholarships designed to reward and encourage entrepreneurial talents among high school seniors. In addition to the traditional academic considerations, students were required to write an essay describing their entrepreneurial endeavors to date and future goals.
Many of the current and past recipients of these awards had already demonstrated their entrepreneurial spirit by starting, operating, and, in some cases, selling businesses before they have even donned their caps and gowns.
But the question is – what will these students do upon graduation with their ambition to run their own businesses? Will they stay in California or seek greener pastures in other states?
Certainly there are challenges when starting a business – securing funding, finding a location, letting people know you are open – just to name a few. In California, add government regulations on air emissions, meal and rest periods and other issues. And if our state legislature has their way, you might have to add government-run healthcare and paid sick leave soon. With all these challenges – will our young entrepreneurs even want to start their businesses here? If we are ever to begin rebuilding California’s economy, we must start by supporting and inspiring our entrepreneurs – the very young people whose talent we have nurtured and grown right here in the Golden State.
First, we have an historic opportunity to promote meaningful, sustainable and relevant career and technical education programs in our schools – programs that move well beyond the arcane host of home economics courses and into cutting-edge vocational education curriculum that will truly prepare them for 21st century careers. Next, we should encourage our high school and college students to job shadow small business owners in their communities to see what it is really like. As leaders and mentors of these students, we ought to make sure that they are prepared for the challenges of running a business by inviting them to work alongside us. The only way that they can truly be prepared is if we ensure that they see glimpses of the American Dream – owning your own business – from the inside. As small business owners, we can do our part by providing that opportunity to young people in our communities.
Once they’ve caught the entrepreneurial bug – and many will – we need to ensure that they have the ability to grow their businesses. Every year, the legislature seems to discourage small businesses from expanding and hiring new employees. With rising unemployment numbers, it is especially important that we develop a workforce that can be help small businesses to expand in their communities. As business owners, let’s advocate for a truly free enterprise system – one that supports students like our YEA winners.
The most important thing that small businesses do is create jobs and support their communities. Entrepreneurialism is first and foremost a cornerstone of the American Dream – one that NFIB supports through its Young Entrepreneur Foundation. Let’s do everything we can to make sure that these students have the important tools they need to be successful – now and in the future.