So, a view of the Bay means half the pay, blah, blah, blah. Well, that view of the Bay seems to have another impact on our lives: unstoppable optimism and creativity in forging a life here. In speaking with TC Chamber president, Doug Luciani, he shared his experience of meetings with people who have recently closed their businesses or lost their jobs. Consistently, he finds them enthusiastically reinventing themselves, regardless of the blow they've just received courtesy of Michigan's economy. No whining, no pity party, just a comfortable state of "hmm, what next?".
I believe that spirit comes from our naturally entrepreneurial culture of small business in northern Michigan. We don't have many mega-employers, and there is a "business as usual" feeling about supporting ourselves through hard work and supporting our neighbors' businesses. You just figure it out.
The sheer numbers of self-employed, independent freelancers, based here, doing work around the globe seems disproportionately high for a non-urban region. Our corner mom & pop businesses, started with a dream and driven by an unexhaustable work ethic make this economy and this lifestyle work. We just figure it out, committed as we are, to staying here.
I love it. The people here are so much more interesting than corporate cubicle dwellers.
If you love it too, be sure you are buying local goods, supporting local retailers, dining in locally owned restaurants, supporting our farmers, wineries and utilizing the services of local professionals. These times are NOT business as usual, and our spending habits will make or break this small business dream in northern Michigan.
Keep the dream alive, with EVERY purchasing decision you make. Your livelihood may depend upon it.
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