Small Businesses are special.... and let me tell you why....

This Easter weekend has been titled "Kami's Easter Study Extravaganza." So, as one may logically draw from that really fun title- my head is certifiably exploding. No really. Synapses are firing so fast and often that the process from brain to hand to computer is slowly and surely failing me. This blog-break, or b-squared, as we call it in the "biz" is just what I need.

I have had a special place in my heart for small businesses ever since I was a little girl. I loved what they stood for, how they accomplished their goals, how every detail is meaningful, and last but not least... small businesses, in my opinion, are the epitome of the American dream. The democrats will claim openly, that they are strong advocates for the "little guy" and equally condemn "corporate America" in an attempt to stay consistent. (This is where your bs-o-meter should be screaming loudly in your face.) Their attempts to be for or against something are calculated and mathematical. They support causes that have large numbers of American's attached to them, for the sake of future votes, and the perpetuation of staying in office. If you have an ounce of brain power- I would advise you to be skeptical of a party whose motives derive from vote-counting, and not from the careful deliberation of what is right or wrong. (John Locke's cartoon head should be floating in a bubble above your head saying: "Be sensitive and watchful over those who are placed in government! Men are often ignorant and too obedient! Skepticism, like accountability, is your civic duty!")

I was reminded of the beautiful creature of the proverbial American small business tonight at dinner. I met my friend Megan, at our favorite spot in town, Caliente Grill. This is a restaurant that a former classmate, and a friend of his, started on nothing more than a dream, and a desire to make good food for good people. The best part about Caliente, are it's humble beginnings. In my younger years, on Thursday nights, much of the Greek community would congregate on fraternity row for live music and fun. As the nights slowly came to a close, Charles and Eric sensed a very "untapped" business opportunity to launch both their product and their name. Equipped only with themselves, an old lunch box, and a cooler full of homemade burritos... they stood outside on fraternity row, and marketed their dream. *(Side note to the reader: In no way can words express how amazingly good their food is, but at 2 am, after shamelessly parading around in 3-inch heals for hours, after a few brews, the level of "amazingness" should be said to have been increased by 4 million %. Based on the empirical study of late night food by the world renown scientist, Kami Mueller, 2006.) It was here their concept fell naturally into fruition.

Since we have discussed their beginnings, for the sake of time, let us fast-forward to this evening. Megan is a practicing Catholic, and due to her Lent obligations does not eat meat on Fridays. For two years now, Megan has stopped to grab a bag of shrimp at the local grocery store, walked into Caliente Grill, and waited as they cooked her shrimp for her. WHERE ELSE WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO DO THIS? I dare you to walk into a chain restaurant and ask them to cook food you have provided due to a rare food allergy, or taste specifications. They will laugh in your face. At Caliente, they greet you with a smile, you get to listen to the most legit music, and experience an atmosphere unique unto itself. I have always had the feeling that each person on their payroll, has felt integral into the business' success. And they are! One person who loses sight of the dream, one lazy worker, has the ability to impact new customers in a negative way and ruin the inertia of the force. I think that is the best way to explain the special nature of small businesses. They have that "something," that hunger, that fight. They have a life force behind them that mimics something from a world our current human condition is incapable of explaining. They have a pride, that although, in some cases can de detrimental to achieving a goal, is in this case, the beautiful hand in which each person is treated with respect and care. It doesn't even matter who you are.

The trick of an entrepreneur is to keep this life force as part of a company, far after it breaks the mold to the description of a "small business." It's to have to big company profits and consistency, while keeping that small business fight and pride. It's the pride in contributing to a nation, and relying on no one but yourself. Maybe one facet of the American dream, is self responsibility- a facet that the democratic party has a hard time fighting for, because many of those who consistently vote for them... live lives of dependence and self-loathing. Oh my! Asking American's to contribute to the society from which they inevitably draw FROM- why-uh-stammer-hiccup-burp- Who would vote for us THEN!?!

Or maybe- their question should be- in advocating for that, and limiting socialist welfare programs...HOW GREAT COULD OUR COUNTRY BECOME?

Yet another example of the democratic party's epic failure in all things that mimic the right way and truth.

Just your average tyrant against all that is wrong in our world, and surveyor of idiotic behavior,

Kami, the Prophet.