The Collective Clout of Small Business

There's something very special about the positive chemistry of a small business and the entrepreneur who drives it. Imagine if you will what could result if the Kansas City area were to establish a network of available resources that enabled entrepreneurs and their employees access to capital, applied knowledge and experienced counsel--a network superior to that of any city in America.

I can't imagine how much fun it must have been to be the producer of the cartoon of old named Underdog. You remember the canine character that inevitably managed to save his girl, Pollie Purebred, or some other person or canine in distress. Remember Underdog's famous line that assured everyone that things we're going to be OK, "There's no need to fear, Underdog is here!

I would guess that the producer of the Underdog cartoon was likely a veteran small business operator. How great would it be that with every challenge we faced in operating our own business, a Small Business Underdog would arrive to save the day.

In effect, that's what this issue is all about. We pose the question--can the Kansas City area conceivably create an environment where resources as trustworthy as Underdog are available to address the issues our entrepreneurs encounter while operating their own business?

It's always bothered me to see small business reside in the shadow of big business. I think most people would agree that when it comes right down to it, when a business encounters a competitive situation, the smaller but more spirited and passionate contestant usually wins. If they don't, it's likely due to the lack of access and/or process: gaining access to necessary resources and knowing the process to put those resources to work.

There's something very special about the positive chemistry of a small business and the entrepreneur who drives it. Imagine if you will what could result if the Kansas City area were to establish a network of available resources that enabled entrepreneurs and their employees access to capital, applied knowledge and experienced counsel--a network superior to that of any city in America.

America's Entrepreneurial Capital

On Memorial Day weekend we ventured west to explore Northern California. Upon our arrival we made an interesting observation. As we descended into San Jose through Silicon Valley we noticed that about 10% (or less) of the parking lots were full. Mind you, this was on a Thursday early afternoon before a holiday weekend, but the reality was there was very little activity brewing in this seemingly successful entrepreneurial region.

I suppose we didn't fully understand the impact the economy has had on the technology industry until we viewed it from another perspective.

While there's little we can do about the national economy, there is certainly a great deal that we can do to create a healthy environment conducive for entrepreneurial success. And what better place to create such an environment than in the unimpeded Midwest, at the nexus of North American trade. And just as important as the environment is our work ethic, our affordable housing, moderate cost of living, infrastructure, room to grow, access to education, and perhaps the most important component, the Kauffman Foundation.

Now, all we need is the will.

The transformation of the Kauffman Foundation under the leadership of Carl Schramm and Bob Litan and their talented team is honestly astounding. What was an organization thick with politics and operational impediments has become a foundation with open doors and a genuine interest and commitment to develop businesses and serve this community and its entrepreneurs. No other community in America enjoys such access to resources and guidance.

The challenge becomes how we as a community can shed political interests for the good of the commonwealth and create an environment conducive for entrepreneurial success. Perhaps it's a bit ambitious to consider that the Kansas City area could become the nation's center of free enterprise, but I believe that the conditions are conducive for such success.

If area colleges and universities could implement necessary applied entrepreneurial learning, our mentoring network could be strengthened. It would help, of course, if organizations established to support business would refrain from competing with their members and business in general.

With the will and leadership, the Kansas City area could become a city far more dynamic than any in the nation. What more noble mission could a city create than to strengthen roots firmly planted in the foundation of the principles of America?

Please let us know your thoughts.