National Small Business Week

May 12 - 16, 2014 is National Small Business Week. Think "small" and "local" are just new buzz words used for marketing? Au contraire. Small Business Week has been in existence since 1963. 

It's only right that our country takes a week to recognize the businesses that over half of Americans either work for or own and which create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. 

The vast majority of my professional career has been dedicated to working with small businesses, whether it was through my Executive Directorship at Buy Fresh Buy Local Hampton Roads which promotes small, locally-owned farms, markets, retail outlets and restaurants, or in my time at Tidewater Community College's Center for Workforce Solutions which provides training solutions for small (and large) businesses in the Tidewater region.

I also grew up in a small construction business my parents owned and operated out of our house where they built custom, affordable homes in northeastern North Carolina. My first job was answering the phone in their office, a room that used to be our garage, and taking messages about drywall and shingle orders. Watching my mom and dad work 18 hour days, seven days a week inspired me - to never work for myself. But it was only a matter of time before that entrepreneurial spirit won out (is it genetic??). 

Now, as a business owner myself, I appreciate even more the hard work, creativity and passion that goes into owning your own business. It's not for everyone, but for those of us who hear its calling, it's undeniable. 

I started the Chop Shop with the goal to help small businesses find their voice and help it be heard. My passion is helping a business succeed and grow through quality content, whether that content is on the web, in print or even verbally communicated. If you can't tell people what you do and why they should care, then they won't.

If you're a small business owner, take a look at our services and see if there's something we can be doing for you to help you get your voice heard and help your business succeed. Then contact us and let's get started on this little thing we call The American Dream.