Get with it!

Entrepreneur, Dec, 1998 by Rieva Lesonsky

You don't want to end up like this guy, do you?

My boss (company president Neil Perlman) says I often remind him of an evangelist - only I preach the gospel of entrepreneurship. I like this description, for I do believe part of my job, or rather my mission, is to spread the good word about being an entrepreneur. When I first started working here (1978), the mention of the word entrepreneur elicited a "huh?" from most people. Today, most of the planet knows what the word means.

Yes, the perception of entrepreneurs has changed. You are the new American heroes. Most Americans admire and respect you. I certainly do. But sometimes you really tick me off.

One of the reasons a business succeeds is because the owner has vision. Not a single vision, but an understanding of where you are, how you got there and where you're headed. In other words, you see the big picture.

That's why I was so shocked a few weeks ago when I moderated a small-business town hall meeting for the Los Angeles Times. My fellow panelists and I were discussing the power of the Net and how it has totally transformed small business in a very short time. One of the business owners in the audience said he didn't see the value of all that data and that he was too busy running his business to bother to go online. How shortsighted! The Net is not about information; it's about access. Access to information, sure, but that's only part of it. Net-savvy entrepreneurs gain access to customers, markets and connections - and a whole lot more. I told that business owner - and if you share his sentiments, I'm telling you, too - take the time, no, make the time for the Net, or you will soon find yourself with more than enough time on your hands.

If you're a regular reader searching for our annual look at the hottest businesses and trends, don't panic. You'll find it next month, along with Entrepreneur's 20th Annual Franchise 500[R], in the January 1999 issue, on sale December 22.

And, of course, from all of us at Entrepreneur, best wishes for a happy holiday season.