| How can we spend money on a small business | | | | value. What about a Virtual Assistant? What about an |
| venture when folks all around us—maybe even | | | | online printer? I recently needed a banner for a book |
| us—are finding it harder and harder to simply make | | | | fair. I went online and found a fantastic company with |
| the rent? While situational wisdom would have us | | | | many options. I selected what I wanted based on their |
| shake our heads and insist it can’t be done right | | | | easy-to-use templates, paid through their secure |
| now, common sense says there is no better time for | | | | server, and in days—literally days—I had a high |
| that creativity which can spur on greatness. | | | | quality banner and at a better price than anything I |
| I’m not necessarily crazy . . . yet, though readers | | | | could have had if I’d gotten in my car, burned some |
| may believe I’m headed in that direction. But no, | | | | gas, and driven to my local printer. This isn’t to |
| please follow along. It is possible to take this | | | | disparage the local economy . . . just to advise you not |
| upside-down, topsy-turvy economy and use it to your | | | | to overlook opportunities because they are on the |
| benefit. Here are three ways . . . add your own as you | | | | internet and not in the local community. |
| get into it! | | | | 3. Use the internet for new ideas. Not only is the |
| 1. Gravitate to the internet. The internet is your big, fun | | | | ‘net an economical shopping party, it’s a |
| shopping party. At what other time in history have you | | | | playground for creativity. A library at your fingertips! A |
| been able to sit at your desk – in your pajamas, if | | | | directory of options, available at the click of a few |
| you like – and comparison shop? Consolidate | | | | buttons. Need a resource to help you understand the |
| resources and ensure you get the best price. You no | | | | stock market? Use a search engine. Looking for a |
| longer have to rely on the local market. If the local | | | | historical reference about how Christmas cards were |
| market is your best quality, with the best price, by all | | | | first used? Visit libraries online, or search content |
| means go for it. Keeping your money circulating at | | | | articles for well-researched details. |
| home has its own benefits. But if your top quality/price | | | | We create our own reality, folks. It’s all too true |
| is in Spokane, Washington, and you are in Iowa . . . | | | | that the world around us is in varying stages of crisis, |
| there’s nothing stopping you from saving your | | | | yet what we focus on is always, always what comes |
| dollars by going national. | | | | to us. Think about it – the power of positive thought. |
| 2. Comparison shop for talent. This point relates to the | | | | If you don’t let yourself fall into the abyss of |
| first. We are no longer required to have a traditional | | | | negativity, you are the one who is likely to find the best |
| office, where we sit in the same space as someone | | | | ways around the difficulties and climb above the fray. |
| who does our administrative work, and our printing, and | | | | And to get started . . . you don’t need to spend |
| our accounting. See which of those services can be | | | | even a gallon of your precious, and expensive, |
| accomplished virtually . . . and then do your homework. | | | | gasoline. Save those pennies for you creativity – |
| Find the best service providers for your dollar’s top | | | | and your exciting new business! |