Aaron Ross does a great video on adding value and not selling.
I think every entrpreneur needs to focus on their skills and knowledge and less on their products. I think we all get so wrapped up in our products we forget how much value and expertise the customer gains when they purchase from you.
I am huge fan of Aaron’s and he was the Co-Founder of eLease in its early days. I am still learning from him.
First of all how refreshing to see people seeking to change the world!
I am always impressed with eager young entrepreneurs who are looking at creating opportunities in difficult times. I was very impressed with the facility at USF as well at Sean Lux the Professor who is in charge of the program. The pitches ranged from restaurant concepts to clean energy and some needed 1 million to start and other 30k.
In all of the negative news of America loosing its footing in the world I would say maybe some of these economists should come and see some of the young future titans of business. I appreciate USF inviting me and experiencing the bliss of new entrepreneurs. This road is not always easy but it is the most rewarding journey you can have in live.
Sleep well America as there are eager entrepreneurs creating future industries out there. God I wish I were 25 again!
We officially relaunched our new site this evening and I like the new look and feel. We went with a them that we work with new companies and smaller growing enterprises. Entrepreneurs ask me all day “Am I too small for you to work with me?” The answer is no! In fact eLease prides itself on offering a solution to all business sizes.Please share with us why you started your business.”I started eLease so I could help entrepreneurs grow their business by maximizing cash flow. My goal is help create 100,000 jobs by providing capital to our customers!”What’s yours?
Everywhere on the news talks about small business lending recovering but from my vantage point more and more banks are abandoning small business and moving to the 5 million plus space. There is surely less demand out there but for the small business that needs a loan/lease there are few options and FASB looking to change mark to market is very scary.We had our banker in our office today and we spoke about the Accounting lobbyists and what it means for our space. I am very concerned this is 1933 all over again. A major lender is abandoning the small business space and 3rd party originations which is US Bancorp. They are the nations 3rd largest bank, took TARP, and are leaving entrepreneurs abandoned.I have not been writing the last few months but will become very vocal about my views on entrepreneurs, lending, and the America I love.
If you are an entrepreneur which has managed to survive and even thrive in this market I applaud you. I do believe this is the worst economic cycle I have lived through and will most likely be one of the worst for our country. I also believe we are turning the corner in this economy but not for the same reasons Wall Street points to.I have long believed small business is the engine and the backbone of this country and these business’s do much of the heavy lifting in this world. I have had the pleasure to talk with many brand new entrepreneurs who are looking to change the world and have a new sense of vigor and courage that some of us might have lost after the last 2 years or so. For my industry specifically it is apparent that the shine has worn off the penny and work became less fun and painful at times.In dealing with these newly minted entrepreneurs I am refreshed and enlightened about this concept called Capitalism in this place called America. I would never bet against this economy and our way our life because there are too many smart people creating new opportunities and it is ingrained in our culture to create value and opportunities. For that reason I think the recession is over. There are so many people capitalizing on opportunities and inefficiencies in the market place.I fear has always falls back to the people in Washington who we elect. I would really like to see some tax incentives for REAL small business’s under 20 employees to start getting some people back to work and return to some sustained level of growth. These companies are the real engine of growth and and creating real jobs.On the leasing side credit is still excruciatingly tight but not impossible. We lend in the new normal of what small business lending has become. Things get done because both parties want to succeed as they always have and always will. Some things never change.
|
