Is entrepreneurship dying in America?

Would have been your answer if you were in attendance at Kaeser and Blair's last convention in Cincinnati last week. There was a record number of dealers in attendance.

The Top 30 dealers were recognized and rewarded for their achievement. These few dealers sold over $17 Million worth of promotional products to all kinds of business, industry, and government agencies.

Each of these dealers operate as independent agents, with no territories or restricted accounts. At least 3 of the dealers sold 90 to 100% of their order through the internet, while the majority still engage in face-to-face selling.

Many of the Top 30 have combined online and offline sales to increase their volume.

Only a few of these leaders has a guaranteed income or benefits from a job or retirement. I know I chose self-employment 15 years ago, and wouldn't consider going back to employee status for anything.

There was a lot of new faces and fresh ideas in attendance, somewhat surprising when you know that Kaeser and Blair is over 100 years old.

The company ranks in the Top 20 nationally out of over 17,000 distributors of advertising specialty products. But, their entire $61 Million in sales for last year was generated by those independent agent/dealers.

Entrepreneurship was very much in evidence as I visited with many dealers from young to old, and all across the US.

One rookie dealer rode a bus to come from El Paso, Tx, almost a 36 hour trip. She was excited about the opportunity afforded her through K & B, and wanted to find out more about how she could grow her business into a full-time replacement income. She was still very excited in spite of facing the long bus ride home.

(One side note: There are no color barriers at K & B, as I observe several of the dealers of ethnic backgrounds returning over the past 6 years. Each is coming for the same opportunity, which is only limited by their efforts and customer base they serve. There are also a few dealers who have severe physical challenges who have proven that they can overcome any difficulty they choose.)

The spirit of entrepreneurship was definitely in evidence as I have witnessed in each of the past 7 conventions.

I just wish some network or production company could come and create a "good news" type story to put on the evening news or some 20/20 type program to serve as an example of the entrepreneurial spirit thriving in the US.

Definitely makes me appreciate being a resident and citizen of the United States. But, I know there are entrepreneurs in other countries. They must be, because we keep importing more of them who come here to the "Land of Opportunity". It's just part of the reason why the US has been such as successful example of capitalism.

JMHO,

Dennis Bevers

I've attended every




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