2021 Will Be the Year of Small Business
We don't need to rehash or dwell on the nightmare that was 2021. Much like the crash in 2008, people lost jobs and entire businesses. Do you know what else happened though? A lot of entrepreneurs were born (or re-born). I predict the same will happen this year. I've already spoken to at least three women who felt the calling to finally start their own business. I'm not a prophet, but I think I'm right on this one. Here’s why:
The Apocolypse: There are several articles that discuss how the 2020 pandemic has shaped our outlook on life. If this is the end (which, at times, it almost felt that way), am I living the life I really want? Either forced by layoffs, or stuck at home on endless Zoom meetings, many people have taken a step back to decide what they really want out of life.
Everyone hates the word Pivot: But what else are you going to call it? Either you pivoted in 2020 or you resisted and put your head in the sand. The former might not lead to success but the latter definitely won’t. For many people, that has pivoted them right into a new business idea or a new outlook on life.
People are resilient: I remember my sales coach said this to me early in the pandemic. She is from New York City and was living there on September 11, 2001. “People can endure more than you think,” she said to me, “We’ll get through this.” She was right. And as much negativity as the news brought us in 2020, there were certainly stories of hope.
We might not see the full effects of small business growth in 2021, but I bet the seeds have been planted. We’re going to see new technology and apps that solve problems we discovered in 2020. We’re going to see startups in “pandemic-proof” industries (local grocery store maybe?) and even more non-profits that support all the physical and emotional needs most of us required in 2020. Just like in 2008, we’ll see this past year as an important stepping stone to new growth and new opportunity.