Make a referral week - the small business stimulus plan

Make a Referral - jump start the economy! We as small business owners hear about the stimulus package and the dollars being handed over to the large industries throughout the United States. What about us? Because we are 'small' it appears we don't matter; we aren't big enough to warrant part of the bailout. Our inventory service and all the other inventory service providers throughout the US are in this category.

Consider these statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau:

• Over 19.5 million non-employer firms (self-employed, unincorporated businesses)
• Over 2.5 million firms with 4 or less employees
• Over 1 million firms with 5-9 employees
• 633,000 plus firms with 10-19 employees
• 529,000 plus firms with 20-99 employees
• About 87,000 firms with 100-499 employees

Think of payroll dollars going to the employees of these small businesses. Think of their families. Think of the revenues generated and fueling the economy. But no bailout help in sight for these businesses.

With that in mind, I’m pledging to make a referral to another small business during the week of March 9-13. Not just a "Here's a name; give them a call." I have pledged to make the call myself and personally introduce the two decision-makers.

Make a Referral Week is an entrepreneurial approach to stimulating the small business economy 1 referred business at a time. Their goal is to achieve 1000 referrals during the week. I'm confident we can do WAY better than that. We're talking nationwide, people!

Small business is the lifeblood and job-creating engine of the economy and merits the positive attention so often saved for corporate bailout stories. Do your part - you’ll be in good (small) company!

Will you join me? Make your pledge here.