For Those Who Have Fought

veterans day, business veterans, overcoming the recessionThis Veteran’s Day, we pause to salute those who have fought for our freedom. You have sacrificed so much to protect us, and our country. You have made the life we are so privileged to lead possible and we do not take it for granted.

This year, we’d like to take it a step further and salute those who have fought to stay in business in the last few years. You, too, are veterans – veterans of business in an economy that at times makes owning a business feel like you’re fighting a war.

You have fought the good fight to stay in business in an economy that has done you no favors. You have resiliently weathered all the storms these past years have brought your way. You have proven statistics and national averages wrong. You have endured.

Your strength lends to us courage, your sheer will power encourages us in our own struggles. By your example, we can have hope that there’s a light at the end of every dark tunnel. You give us reason to hold our heads high, being proud to join the ranks of small business owners.

You have paved the way for others to follow in your footsteps. You have set the standard high for the kind of determination it takes to succeed. You have shown us what it means to never give up.

There will ever be economic ups and downs. But you have shown us that in good times and in bad, in abundance and in scarcity, it is always possible to persevere. Your strength of character and resolve to persist in the face of adversity is admirable.

To those who have fought and won: we pay our respect. Growing a business is hard work. Thank you for not giving up, for continuing on when the going got tough. Your success is our inspiration.

And to you who are still fighting in the thick of it: we salute you, too. What you are doing isn’t easy – we know! Don’t give up. We believe in you and know your business is worth fighting for!

About Jamie Teasdale

Jamie Teasdale founded Propel Businessworks, a small business development company, in 2009. Since then, she has been lending insight and creativity to businesses all over the U.S., giving them the tools they need to plan, promote, and prosper.