Progress

Still reading and analyzing interview notes and other material I've collected. Themes are starting to emerge that I'll be able to summarize soon and have "new stories" and lessons of success and failure for students.

I took a quick trip to San Diego this weekend with the family. As we was made our way through the various attractions and eateries, I couldn't help thinking how similar small business success stories really are, and the universality of such core principles as great customer service, excellent quality of product/ services, atmosphere, attitude of owner/ employees, etc. A neighborhood bookstore with a unique combination collectible books with current inventory along with bindery services caught my eye. I started a converstion with the owner and could tell immediately that the bookstore held a unique position in the local community. Customers felt at home and felt connected --- in my 30 minutes or so in the bookstore, I could already fell that this is a small business I would definitely frequent. Right next door, a family owned Greek restaurant where the owner was the chef, cashier, waiter, etc. I felt we had been invited into someone's home where food was prepared specifically for each person in our party. Another interesting and unique business, and there were many on this strip was a vintage clothing store that featured one of a kind outfits from the 1920's-1950's... talk about a narrow niche in the market place.

It was similar in La Jolla, in Coronado Island and all over San Diego. Small businesses still open for business as usual, operating successfully, serving customers, employing other people, albeit in small numbers... all the while the newscasts kept blasting away the latest unemployment statistics, the latest "bad news" about WallStreet and everthing else that seemst to attract an audience. On top of all that, 73 degrees!!!