5 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Do Their Part on 9/11 This Year

It's hard to believe that twelve years ago our nation suffered the tragedy of 9/11--a series of coordinated suicide attacks by al-Qaeda upon the United States on September 11, 2001. And once again, this year on 9/11, our nation will remember those who have fallen by raising the American flag at half mast and participating in volunteer activities and acts of service throughout the community.

Entrepreneurs, we know that you’re busy every single day of the year. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day and 911 Day are no exception. But if you have an extra 10 minutes in your day on September 11, we encourage you to honor those impacted by the terrorist attacks with any of these 5 easy activities:

1.  Educate: We are fortunate enough to live in a country that promotes freedom--and that includes the freedom to choose exactly what we with our lives. Entrepreneurs take the concept of “freedom” to a whole new level by choosing the startup road less traveled. The career path of entrepreneurship is a scary one, and a lot of people do not know how to begin. As an entrepreneur, offer some advice on entrepreneurship on 911 Day to encourage other budding entrepreneurs to embrace freedom. Participate in an educational event, host a lecture, mentor a younger entrepreneur or teach people your area of expertise for just a few minutes on this special day.

2.  Create the Right Jobs: If entrepreneurs create the right jobs with a focus on important technical skills, a large abundance of jobs will spring up across the nation and promote the newfound American Dream and an increase in opportunities. In addition, the notion of self-reliance can improve economic sustainability. We, as Americans, enjoy many freedoms including the availability of extremely low prices (from companies such as Wal-Mart). The economic reality of this is that it is not sustainable. By providing more jobs and paying more for everyday goods, we can create a much more sustainable economy.

3.  Promote Health: In order to promote a healthy America, entrepreneurs and small business owners must keep their physical health in check on a day-to-day basis and also make it an important matter in the workplace. Eating right, exercising, and getting an adequate amount of sleep benefits the body as well as the mind, allowing entrepreneurs and small business owners more creativity and energy while at work. It's a win-win situation all around. We challenge you, entrepreneurs, on 911 Day, to get out of the office and go for a walk with colleagues, hit up the gym for a jog on the treadmill or attend a yoga class. Free your body and your mind for a just a few minutes.

4.  Volunteer: Whether you're a large business or a small startup, all companies should be interested in becoming good corporate citizens. When entrepreneurs and their companies volunteer, they can achieve an enhanced public image with a cohesive and motivated workforce. Volunteer programs also help employees strengthen their leadership and interpersonal skills and increases interaction among different departments.

5.  Think Big Beyond Borders: The essence of being a patriotic entrepreneur is to look past the artificial borders of nationality, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and politics in order to address the most critical problems that we face as a global society. When entrepreneurs think beyond these artificial borders, we can promote a positive change in the workforce and in the world. Thinking beyond borders allows more people to achieve their own American Dream.

Entrepreneurs, what will you do on 911 Day? Will you do more than put your flag at half-mast? We encourage all entrepreneurs to Think Big on 9/11/2013 by educating, creating more jobs, promoting health, volunteering, and thinking beyond artificial borders.

Entrepreneurs Celebrate the American Dream on the 4th of July

Fireworks, barbecues, pool parties, family reunions and live music will mark the much anticipated 4th of July on Thursday. We are just as excited as the next entrepreneur to join our families and friends for a day of celebration (not to mention, perhaps a few hours away from emails and meetings!).  

While the 4th of July seems all fun and games (which it should be), as Americans we need to recognize why we have such a day to celebrate. This date marks when our country broke free from Great Britain’s rule and gained independence in signing the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. We celebrate with fireworks to remember our freedom and traditions that the United States holds. This day is a symbol of our incredible nation’s beliefs and independence. 

To entrepreneurs, this day should be regarded as especially important. We are allowed to have our own thoughts, ideas and dreams. Entrepreneurs are given a second chance when they mess up. Americans encourage growth and innovation in communities and that is exactly what this holiday allows us to celebrate.  We as entrepreneurs are especially thankful for our freedom.  Without it, we would not be able to ideate and build upon the incredible ideas that we have.  

We tend to forget that not everyone has the freedom and liberties that we have. People from all over the world come to our country in hopes of living a better life. We are blessed and lucky that we can aspire to seek the American Dream.

So, this 4th of July holiday, we encourage you to be thankful for your freedom as you celebrate with firewords, hotdogs, boat rides and sparklers with your friends and family. From all of us at Think Big Partners, have a fun and safe 4th of July weekend and we will see you back at work on Monday!

Harbors, Crab Cakes and Now Entrepreneurship- Announcing Think Big Baltimore!

“I recently read a book stating that the average US citizen lives a much more luxurious life than Louis XIV,” began Tighe Greenhalgh, organizing partner of Think Big Baltimore. 

I sat there, phone still pasted to my ear, wondering where this interview was about to go.

“It talks about the fact that Louis could never imagine being protected from the oppressive summer heat by air conditioning,” he continued.  “Louis could never have fathomed climbing into a plane and in three hours, walking into a completely different part of the world.  Today, each of us can go to a movie theater and be personally entertained by the best performers in the world.  We can walk into a restaurant and have a professional chef make exactly what we ask for.  And the fact is, entrepreneurs made all that possible.”

And then, everything clicked.  And Tighe Greenhalgh was absolutely right.

Greenhalgh’s fascination with entrepreneurship led him to read books such as these, but also led him to get involved in six different startup companies from medical supply companies, to green energy companies, to non-profits.  But no matter what Greenhalgh is specializing in at the moment, whether it’s a new non-profit organization or Louis XIV, one this is for sure: it involves entrepreneurship. 

“People love freedom.  And for me, nothing provides freedom like being an entrepreneur,” said Greenhalgh.  “So, when I heard about a conference that was promoting entrepreneurship and helping entrepreneurs, I immediately thought, ‘I have to get that in Baltimore.’”

Greenhalgh is talking about Think Big Kansas City.  After attending the event last March, he found the opportunity to expand its reach to more cities throughout the country—starting, of course, with Baltimore. 

“I think the attitude in Baltimore and Kansas City—and other cities like Boston, Detroit, Denver, and Philadelphia—is that they all want to establish themselves as a hotbed for startups and entrepreneurs,” said Greenhalgh.  “The fact is the entire country has that desire.  As word gets around that there is an event like this, any metropolitan area is going to jump at it.  They’ll all want the opportunity to put their entrepreneurs in one place, celebrate what they do, and let them do more together.” 

Greenhalgh was sure to note the national reputation that Baltimore currently has.  He made note of the city’s problems, but also explained the large population that is constantly looking for solutions to these issues.  “Baltimore possesses a very intelligent and very passionate group of entrepreneurs that are working to make Baltimore a better place,” he said.  “Entrepreneurship is what makes Baltimore what it is.” 

So maybe it’s time to put aside the crab cakes, harbors, John Hopkin’s hospital and the drug trades that Baltimore has always been known for.  Now, we may start to identify Baltimore as a city of entrepreneurship and growth. 

Think Big Baltimore, the Premier Conference for Entrepreneurs, Investors and Startups, is to take place July 13^th at Towson University (hosted by TowsonGlobal, the university’s incubator).  For more information about Think Big Baltimore, call 866-THNK-BIG or visit their website (to be launched within the next few weeks) at http://www.thinkbigbaltimore.com/. Stay tuned for more information about Think Big Baltimore!

Bigger is better.  And now, we’re bringing big to Baltimore. 

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners, Kansas City’s mentorship-based business incubator and startup accelerator.  To read more of Allison’s work, please visit the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner as well as her articles on BrooWaha, eZine, Newsvine and Helium.