Below is a letter we submitted to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.
Almost every week I hear on local radio stations, Public Service Announcements from Sioux Falls and other South Dakota Chambers Of Commerce inviting Minnesota small business to relocate to South Dakota. As a small business owner, I will be relocating my business. I simply cannot afford to stay in Minnesota.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and his Democratic legislators should be ashamed that a neighboring state openly advertises for Minnesota small businesses leave Minnesota for South Dakota. It should also be noted that
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has presidential aspirations. True Conservatives should not be fooled by Governor Pawlenty's ideology; He is a Progressive, not a Conservative. In 7+ years, Governor Tim Pawlenty has done little for Minnesota small business. His policies are causing Minnesota small businesses to close their doors or re-locate to more business friendly states.
South Dakota should be proud of it's business friendly climate; A climate that should bode well for South Dakota given the current economic times.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Four Signs
I post 4 signs where ever I happen set up as a vendor. They are:
*******************************************
1.
Is AMERICA the land of Personal
Freedom & Opportunity?
OR
Big Oppressive Government?
*******************************************
2. Minnesota National Rank
State Wealth #10
Business Friendly #49
Which rank will change the most
*******************************************
3.
If you out-source your buying,
THEN
Don't complain about about jobs
being out-sourced!
*******************************************
4.
The bitter taste of poor quality lingers
far longer than the sweetness of a low
price
*******************************************
I think the messages are self-explanatory!
*******************************************
1.
Is AMERICA the land of Personal
Freedom & Opportunity?
OR
Big Oppressive Government?
*******************************************
2. Minnesota National Rank
State Wealth #10
Business Friendly #49
Which rank will change the most
*******************************************
3.
If you out-source your buying,
THEN
Don't complain about about jobs
being out-sourced!
*******************************************
4.
The bitter taste of poor quality lingers
far longer than the sweetness of a low
price
*******************************************
I think the messages are self-explanatory!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
How Bad Is The Economy?
How Bad Is The Economy? To answer that question,one has to look at the question from at least two different aspects. The first aspect is: Do we want to believe what we are told, or what we see. The second aspect has to do with local economy and how the local economy might differ from the larger regional and/or national economy.
In my opinion, too many people believe what they are told. Media, politicians and others who have vested interest like to put their own spin on the facts. There are also many people stating opinions that are based on feelings that are not supported by fact. Personally, I will always believe what I see and experience first hand. As a small business owner, I watch what people buy. By watching the buying habits of consumers, I am able to determine how strong or weak the economy is.
When someone tells me that the economy is bad, I often ask what they base that opinion on. Often, the answer is John Doe, the local newscaster or Governor Smith reported it on the news. By doing a little research, one can determine the source of Newscaster Doe's or Governor Smith's statement and determine if their might be vested interests. Another typical response to my question is "It just is." The "It just is" reply is either an emotional response or totally uninformed response.
The products I sell typically fall into three categories; consumer products that most people use regularly, fishing tackle/equipment, collectibles and other non-essential items. In a down economy, I expect the consumer items to be my best sellers; and, the collectibles and other non-essential items to be the slow sellers. The fishing tackle/equipment typically sells equally well in up or down economic cycles. As I analyze my sales over the last 18-24 months, my collectibles and other non-essential item sales are booming. That leads me to believe that the economy is no where as bad as the Politicians and local news pundits want me to believe. In contrast, the 18-24 months following 9/11, my consumer (essential) products were by far my best sellers. Based on my experience I would have to say the economy following 9/11 was in a lot worse condition than it is today.
Where is the economy headed? We are being told by the media pundits and politicians that the economy is slowly turning around and getting stronger. From a historical perspective, I would have to believe that the economy will get worse, perhaps much worse before it turns around. One needs to look back on history to the policies implemented by Carter/Reagan & Hoover/Roosevelt administrations and compare them to the policies being implemented by the current administration to get a picture of what impact the current policies might have on current and future economic state.
In my opinion, too many people believe what they are told. Media, politicians and others who have vested interest like to put their own spin on the facts. There are also many people stating opinions that are based on feelings that are not supported by fact. Personally, I will always believe what I see and experience first hand. As a small business owner, I watch what people buy. By watching the buying habits of consumers, I am able to determine how strong or weak the economy is.
When someone tells me that the economy is bad, I often ask what they base that opinion on. Often, the answer is John Doe, the local newscaster or Governor Smith reported it on the news. By doing a little research, one can determine the source of Newscaster Doe's or Governor Smith's statement and determine if their might be vested interests. Another typical response to my question is "It just is." The "It just is" reply is either an emotional response or totally uninformed response.
The products I sell typically fall into three categories; consumer products that most people use regularly, fishing tackle/equipment, collectibles and other non-essential items. In a down economy, I expect the consumer items to be my best sellers; and, the collectibles and other non-essential items to be the slow sellers. The fishing tackle/equipment typically sells equally well in up or down economic cycles. As I analyze my sales over the last 18-24 months, my collectibles and other non-essential item sales are booming. That leads me to believe that the economy is no where as bad as the Politicians and local news pundits want me to believe. In contrast, the 18-24 months following 9/11, my consumer (essential) products were by far my best sellers. Based on my experience I would have to say the economy following 9/11 was in a lot worse condition than it is today.
Where is the economy headed? We are being told by the media pundits and politicians that the economy is slowly turning around and getting stronger. From a historical perspective, I would have to believe that the economy will get worse, perhaps much worse before it turns around. One needs to look back on history to the policies implemented by Carter/Reagan & Hoover/Roosevelt administrations and compare them to the policies being implemented by the current administration to get a picture of what impact the current policies might have on current and future economic state.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Where Are The Tourists?
The Minnesota Department of Tourism's recent ads bragging about Minnesota's tourism must be a joke, RIGHT? Where are all these tourists? They are not coming to rural Minnesota. The lack of tourists is really hurting many small businesses out side the Twin Cities. Many small businesses depend on tourists coming to our state. The number of tourists have been declining for several years. High gas prices in 2007-2008 might be one reason; but this year gas prices are down from recent years and the tourists are still not visiting Minnesota!
About 5 years ago, I was speaking with some visitors from other states. They stated they do not like to come to Minnesota because they thought it was a tourist trap. After some thought, I figured out why. Our Governor and legislators like to view our tourists as cash cows, using hospitality taxes to fund pet-projects like building more stadiums for Millionaire athletes. These hospitality taxes may not hurt businesses in the Twin Cities because many of the tourists may be on expense accounts. After these tourists have had their pockets picked in the Twin Cities, they have less money to spend on trips outside the Twin cities.
About 5 years ago, I was speaking with some visitors from other states. They stated they do not like to come to Minnesota because they thought it was a tourist trap. After some thought, I figured out why. Our Governor and legislators like to view our tourists as cash cows, using hospitality taxes to fund pet-projects like building more stadiums for Millionaire athletes. These hospitality taxes may not hurt businesses in the Twin Cities because many of the tourists may be on expense accounts. After these tourists have had their pockets picked in the Twin Cities, they have less money to spend on trips outside the Twin cities.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Out Sourcing?
I continually hear so many people complain about all the jobs that are being out sourced to foreign countries. It is true, a lot of jobs are being out-sourced for many reasons. If those who complain about all out-sourcing started patronizing local small businesses, there would be a lot less out-sourcing.
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