The Success of Small Businesses in America

In the latter part of American history, we have seen the power of small businesses. Many researchers have even claimed that Entrepreneurship may be the future of the American economy. The way companies advertise, create new products, and sell merchandise is completely different than it was even 25 years ago. A great example of this idea can be seen in TOMS shoes.

Blake Mycoskie has become one of the most successful entrepreneurs since founding TOMS in 2006. His ideas were considerate and his conventions were unique. He didn't found TOMS just to make money and live a prosperous life. Blake founded TOMS after competing on the reality show, The Amazing Race, and noticing that many children in Argentina didn't have shoes. He founded his company not for the good of himself, but for the good of others. And people have really taken notice. TOMS exists on the simple premise: One for One. For each pair of shoes you buy, a child in need gets a pair of shoes. Not a donation towards a pair of shoes and not a percentage of your purchase... simply a pair of shoes to call their own. 

Because of the nature of the company, TOMS does not have the budget to spend large amounts of money on elaborate ad campaigns. As a result, they have embraced the technology available to them. They have gone viral with many online video ad campaigns. They have utilized social media as their primary source of advertising to spread their message. What they're doing is working, but Blake believes that the company would not have been able to exist 10 years ago. 

So while the saying goes "technology is a blessing and a curse," in this situation it is a blessing. It not only allows many small businesses to exist, but also in the case of TOMS, allows people to do a little good.

Click here to learn about and support the TOMS movement. 

Do you think this is true? Do you think small businesses are able to thrive in the technological era?