Mom & Pop Are Alive

Contrary to common belief all the Mom & Pop businesses are not dead, many are doing quite well. This does not mean that a lot of them have not disappeared because they have over the years. The ones that stood their ground and sold commodity products and services had to compete with the Big Boys and corporate companies. There is no way that they could even begin to challenge them in the same genre of products, it's not possible to succeed. Many got into price wars they could never win and when the financial well went dry there was no other choice but to close down. Consumers and business buyers spent their money where they could get the most for it and the value they wanted.

But many independent businesses avoided a direct comfrontation with the big companies and found a niche when they could excel and not be bothered with big competition. One great successful niche is ethnic restaurants run by people who really know how to cook their country's best food. Where would you find the best Italian food, at a restaurant where Momma is in the kitchen and relatives are cooking and serving or at Olive Garden? Other areas that big business overlooks or avoids is landscaping/lawn maintenance, tailoring, alternative education, pet care, alternative medicine, home repairs and the list goes on and on. Don't underestimate the power of small business, it's here to stay.

Barry is a business speaker and author of 6 books.  www.idealetter.com