MICROBUSINESS

Human Intelligence [hi] .  

Magnificent Mortal Minds providing simultaneous solutions with passion and purpose, often due to a personal experience that made us say – there must be a better way.

We're Number ONEs

Single digit ventures with a niche focus. Most of us a work force of one with an independent lifestyle and livelihood.

Microbusiness encompasses thousands of occupational titles but is often known as a Sole Proprietor, Startup, Side Hustle, Nonprofit, Independent Contractor, Freelancer, Founder, Self Employed, Solopreneur or Entrepreneur.

We're Inclusive . Spanning five generations of – gender and geography – race and religion – ethnicity and economic status – size and sexual orientation – political persuasion, profession and philosophy. 
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We're Independent . Skilled individuals with a passion for what they do –  who often work alone –  at home.

Although each of us is unique, we share the same frustrations.

Isolation . We're tired of talking to ourselves. 
Crowds are not our thing. Networking is exhausting. We've become experts at rationalizing reasons for not showing up.

Lack of Support . Our To Do List is Stuck  
Post-its that seem to multiply on their own. Never less to do – only more. We're usually over capacity with work we're trying to finish or trying to find because we have no work. 

New Business . Best Kept Secret is You
You built it but they didn't come. Self-promotion is a microbusiness Achilles heel. Our elevator speech would need a 123-story building, to call it rambling would be more than kind. Marketing is a mystery without a who-done-it.

Frustrations that have the same solution.

Getting known is the lifeblood of an independent livelihood. 
It's not who you know, it's who knows you.

Getting known seems insurmountably hard, some days impossible.

But actually it's easy. Overcome Isolation. Meeting another microbusiness for the first time is like talking to someone you've known for years. We share the same lifestyle, even though we do something  different for our livelihood.

But actually it's easy. Get Support. (Yes, I know asking for help is on our hidden forbidden list.) But helping is something microbusiness is really good at since we frequently use our unique superpower to save the day for clients and customers. Why not each other?

But actually it's easy.  Find New Business. Stop hiding. Get known and get referrals, the best way to grow your microbusiness. We all tend to use and refer someone we know—that could be YOU.

When you WORK DIFFERENT you're part of the work Force of ONEs.
Getting known is actually easy and important.
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Make a New Year's resolution to say hello to someone you don't know.
I'd be happy to introduce you.
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Author: Jackie Menne . Microbusiness Visionary . Connector. Creator. Publisher. Speaker. Since 2010 Advocating for the work Force of ONEs through community, learning, news, classes and events.
Lived in the Midwest long enough to call it home, yet still a transplant from the East. Landed my dream job right out of school as a writer, actually copywriter for a hit radio station that played them and brought in the stars who sang them. Met most. Struck an empathetic chord. Moved into television and then actually moved…north to the land of 10,000 lakes and mosquitos where you can walk on water most of the year. Lasted awhile at CBS and ABC then found the wonderful world of advertising. Worked for big business, big brands and big shots. Retail giants. Consumer goods. Music Industry. Became a Problem (solver). Protagonist. Pragmatist. Got close to the top of the ladder but stepped down. Not afraid of heights, tired of the view. Left to become a master juggler and wearer of hats. Ran small agencies. Climbed step-stools. Finally back on the ground to write and create Synergy Advertising – an independent lifestyle and livelihood. Later Joule, a place for single digit enterprises. Now Microbusiness Alliance, a global community for the work Force of ONEs. Still a Problem (solver), Protagonist and Pragmatist for each of us and all of us who are NOT Small but Microbusiness.

BEST + WORST OF TIMES
Monday . December 6, 2021 

yesterday . JANUARY 2020

Even though a frosty 6 degrees deterred a few of the 100+ who registered for Micro Networking – more than 70 braved winter winds to attend what turned out to be Joule's last in person event. Two weeks later the WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International concern. 
Who knew.  

It was the best of times...
Shaking hands – being introduced to someone new. Having lunch – getting to know a few. Meeting everyone in the room – sharing what we do. Catching up – with familiar faces too.
Who knew. 

It was the worst of times...
Headlines just 4 days later – confirmed the first case of Covid in the United States. 
Who knew.

Where were you...
Finalizing plans to stream our live March eBook + Self Publishing event – canceled moments before.
Who knew.

today . December 2021

Thankful for my broadcast background, although being in front rather than behind the camera took some getting used to – along with learning new things like zoom – rescheduling the March event to a virtual venue – and many more after that. Shifting my micro for the third time to be what it's always been meant to be.

It's all about working at home instead of from home...
Discovering a different life and livelihood – sans traffic and travel or corporate colleagues. A global morphing to microness. Learning to laugh amidst annoyance or anger. Creating something from nothing you ever imagined. 

Will today be our past or our future...
Cyber Monday on November 30, 2020 was the biggest online shopping day in U.S. history with a total of $10.7 billion in online spending.

tomorrow . January 2022

Freelancers...
A revolution not a resignation. Remote work has empowered those in their 20s and early 30s—the first generation where half of kids had two parents working full-time—to imagine the real possibility of work-life balance – especially millennials – 74% did not want to return full-time to offices, the highest of any age group in a 2020 Gallup pole..

Founders....
With more businesses formed this year than ever—yes, ever—the question most asked is "Why?" Many wonder why so many are taking the risk. Those becoming micros say it has to do with need. 22 million suddenly became unemployed. 35 million struggled to pay their rent or were barely able to afford childcare. Many needed to provide income, not just supplement it.  It's also about having a way to bootstrap. The cost of starting something has never been cheaper and the cash to do it more available.

Do the Math...
There are many opportunities — accommodation and food services (75% increase from 2019) – construction – drivers – transportation – warehousing – products (retail is up 62%). So yes, there are millions and millions of micros. Many don't want to be or have an employee. They want to count on themselves as a force of one.
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Data: Census Bureau. Salesforce. Guardian. Gallup.