Here is a fantastic video on small business ownership from Ed King, Director of Small Business Services from Wayne State University.  My friend Don passed it on to me and Mr. King's thinking is spot on!  I love his straight talk on what it takes to succeed in business.  Small business owners have inherent strengths by having the ability to adapt to market conditions much faster than the larger firms.  Business owners solve the customer’s problems.  The more problems in the economy just means there is more opportunity for the business owner.   Instead of being depressed in a down economy, the entrepreneur ought to Identify customer problems, Develop a plan to solve the problems, Share that plan, Implement/Follow Through with the plan, and Celebrate successes.  Business ownership is quite simple when you boil it down, but not easy.  Failure isn't easy either.  Since easy isn't an option, you might as well make your life count by applying the discipline up front to win.  Discipline will be applied either way and you have the choice of being internally disciplined by you or being externally disciplined by others.  That choice will make all the difference in your success or failure.  Opportunities abound!  When opportunity and preparedness meet - success must happen.  Start preparing today for your opportunity. God Bless, Orrin Woodward