But do you ever stop to think about all the “sweat equity” that goes into the start-up of a small business? Have you ever considered the devastation of losing everything you’ve put into your business? Well, if you’ve been on the losing end of that type of situation, you know all too well. So every time I hear about another small business going down the tubes I get upset. It really bothers me that people have to fail, and a lot of the time, it’s not even really their fault. They just don’t know better. Think about it, you’re so wrapped up in getting your business going, you neglect the most important factor to the sustained growth and prosperity of your business, marketing.

So, you start your new business, and within minutes, a multitude of advertising sales folk swoop down on you, promising to make you famous. And you, naive about the whirling-paced advertising world, take out your half-page, full-color ad in the yellow pages, your newspaper ads, your radio schedules, and whatever else tickles your fancy. Then the bill comes.

What you should have done is researched all the FREE stuff you can do and get to publicize your business. For instance, place a grand-opening press release in the “For Immediate Release” section of MODE™. That’s free, and it announces your intentions to the community at large. I’m not telling you, as a start-up business owner, not to advertise, I’m telling you to think before you act.

As a matter of fact, because I believe so strongly in the institution of the small business, I’ve decided to add a new feature to MODE™ Magazine. It’s like the MODE@LARGE photo sections, but instead of aimlessly roaming about Greater Harrisburg taking pictures, we want to feature photos of start-up small businesses, and their owners. How about that! If you have a grand opening, or just want a little free exposure, let us know and we’ll do our darndest to put your picture in our new section: MODE@WORK. Pretty catchy title, huh? BUT, there’s a catch. You have to be in your first six months of business, and you have to know our new tag line from the cover banner. That’s all. Oh, and it’s first come, first served. So, call, fax, or e-mail, we’d love to hear from you, and we’d love to help.

BTW, (By The Way), did I ever tell you that one of my close personal friends is the “real” Ally McBeal? No, really. We’re pretty sure she has a compliment of writers from the show covertly following her around every day. She even met the actress who plays Ally one day at a social event, but my guess is that the actress was scouting mannerisms and expressions for the show. Fine, don’t believe me, but if you knew my friend, you’d be in total amazement every time you watched the television show. This isn’t a plug for the show, it’s a testament to the fact that there are real, honest to goodness, shoe throwing, dancing baby imagining, struggling people out there... that TV just can’t wait to exploit. Figures.