Last month I had the opportunity to be interviewed by two different national podcasts to discuss small business and the issues facing small business today. The discussion included talk about the importance of being involved in local politics as business owners, why it is important to support local businesses, and how as business owners we can continue to be involved to grow our business and promote the future of small business in our communities.
Shopping and supporting our local business is imperative for our community. These businesses are the ones who are active in our community and supporting other businesses in the community and our local activities for youth, our favorite nonprofit organizations, and contributing daily to our local economy.
This month the Nebraska Legislature will convene the 108th Legislature, First Session, our local governments are meeting regularly. As business owners, we need to stay engaged in local politics and understand the intersection of government and business to make sure our businesses will not be adversely impacted. In December, LIBA member Scott Lockard from Hampton Enterprises testified before the Small Business Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations. His testimony focused on the strain’s businesses are feeling in the current economic climate. As I have said many times, decisions are made by those who show up.
Over the past year, LIBA has invested a great deal of time and effort promoting small business to future generations. Last spring, we hosted a career fair at The Career Academy (TCA) and Pius X high school to introduce students to business owners and to help business owners find employees. Through the event at TCA, over 100 students found jobs in their field to gain valuable experience while helping businesses address their workforce needs. In the fall I was invited to TCA to speak to their entrepreneurship classes in every pathway to discuss the intersection of government and business. I have been a strong supporter and advocate for TCA and by being in the classroom with students, my passion to help them grow became even stronger.
For the past three years I have become active as a volunteer with Junior Achievement, helping students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. Having the opportunity to be in schools speaking to young people about business and entrepreneurship is exciting for the future of our community. I have been thoroughly impressed with the young people and their ideas for entrepreneurship. At very young ages, they are aware of business principles and interested in entrepreneurship.
As business owners I encourage you to invest the time to get involved and build the future of small business by engaging with the young people in our community. I know running a business takes up a great deal of our time and we all could use more time in our day. To be able to get out and be engaged with the future generation is a great way to energize yourself because of the thirst these young people have for learning more about business and entrepreneurship. As we think toward the future, these young people are our future interns, apprentices, employees, and business owners.
Looking ahead to 2023 I hope we can all come together to find ways to engage and support the next generation of business owners. I wish you and your business great success in 2023!