Would You Rather Be Small & Smart or Big & Stupid?
Really BIG & Stupid: Ten Worst Business Deals of 2007
My friend Dawn Rivers Baker (aka The Journal Blogger), frequently writes about a problem we have in this country - the general prejudice that all entrepreneurs’ goal should be to get BIG! Never mind quality-of-life or little things like integrity, honesty, or happiness. If you don’t dream of being the next Google, Microsoft, or McDonald’s - well, what’s wrong with you?
Personally, I love being “small.” Wouldn’t mind having a few million…I’ve been a millionaire on paper more than once. However, I really love being a sole proprietor “craftswoman.” (And remaining a one-woman show doesn’t automatically preclude making that million. Some of those paper millions were made in previous consulting gigs.)
So, next time you’re beating your forehead ‘cuz you don’t make a bazillion bucks - or did something like blow your entire marketing budget on failed advertising - just remember, you could be making those bazillions and be BIG-time stupid. Besides, we all do dumb things on occasion. Learn the lesson and move on. (Also, the Feds won’t be taking you for a perp walk for blowing that marketing money.)
Read More: You might want to dip into Seth Godin’s Small Is the New Big: and 183 Other Riffs, Rants, and Remarkable Business Ideas for some more perspective.
My Related Posts:
Q: What’s The Difference Between Big Biz and Small Biz Marketing?
Small Is A State of Mind.
Photo: Flickr, billlyhunt
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December 17th, 2007 at 8:46 am
MS note to readers: I’m letting this comment stand - as it’s an example of “splog” And, to really make my day it’s from James Blah, about whom I wrote in Heads Up Re Hand-made Spam. Not to worry, new bloggers - you can, as I do, moderate all comments so this kind of stuff never makes it through. (You can also edit comments too as I’ve done below.)
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Thanks for the post. I am also a fan of being small. I love doing little things with baby steps that when put together, do add up to being considerably big. For me, these two baby steps have made me become a whole different person.
I decided to quit my hated office job 6 months ago to become a freelance writer. I bought an Escribble membership and have been making money on the internet as a freelancer like I never imagined I could. So no regrets there.
I also discovered http://www.JamesBlahlosingweight.com which was a great and different inspiration that helped me eat healthier and lose weight very effectively.
Glad to report that it’s been a good year so far. To all the readers,big doesn’t necessarily mean happy.
Cheers,
Lilly
December 17th, 2007 at 9:06 am
James, Jack, “Lilly” - give it up already. You are not making it through moderation. Your incredibly cheesy, clueless marketing does nothing but distract from the real conversations that are going on on the Web. This is the first and last “comment” of yours I’m going to let through. (Oh, and Mr. Blah? I would think twice before posting any more photos of myself if I were you. oh dear.)
December 17th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
[…] a follow-on to my post, Would You Rather Be Small & Smart or Big & Stupid? - check out The 101 Dumbest Moments in Business for 2007. If nothing else, you’ll laugh. […]