“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

- Thomas A. Edison

Every day it seems like the news networks tell us how bad the economy is and why it continues to get worse! For most of us, not only are we acutely aware of the situation we’ve collectively gotten ourselves into, but we’re getting sick and tired of listening to the talking heads blabber on day after day, after day. . .

History tells us that every “recession” creates numerous opportunities for those willing to put in the time, effort, and energy. People often forget that more millionaires were created during the Great Depression than any previous period in history!

Much like Colonel Sanders, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, and Charles Deere Wiman, (a great-grandson of John Deere who took over as CEO in 1928 and went on to help John Deere achieve $100 million in gross sales in 1937), many people today have chosen not to participate in this economic downturn. If you’re reading this, chances are you are also a kindred spirit and have chosen the road less traveled, knowing that hard work and perseverance will always pay off in the end.

It’s no secret that entrepreneurs and small businesses will be the driving force behind our economic recovery, especially here in Arizona, where 98% of all businesses are small business. One of these brave entrepreneurs who is leading the charge forward is Pat Sullivan, one of Arizona’s most well-known and successful entrepreneurs, who reminds us that one of the keys to long-term success is to “Be Fanatical About Excellence!”

Like the secret to a long, happy marriage, Jim Perrine, Market Owner of Business Clubs America metro Phoenix and southern Arizona, reminds us that long-term business success requires we develop and nurture mutually beneficial business relationships with people and companies we know, like and trust.

Howard Lindzon (Performance Magazine contributor, Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, and author of The Wallstrip Edge) often says, “You can’t go broke selling!” Sage advice indeed, and words of wisdom that are echoed by Donna Davis, the new CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association, who makes her Performance Magazine debut with “6 Tips to Help Your Small Business Through This Crisis.” Number three, “Start selling something ASAP!”

As a small business owner myself, I can honestly say Barbara Weaver Smith’s “Whale Hunting: Land Big Deals and Transform Your Company” is truly one of the most practical blueprints I have ever seen for how to grow your company very rapidly through strategic partnerships with large companies.

Finally, I’d like to say a word of thanks to everyone who has taken a few minutes out of their very busy day to call, write or email and let us know how much they appreciate the practical, immediately applicable information contained within these pages. The response from the business community has been truly overwhelming and gratifying!

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts, comments, questions, rants or raves! You can reach me directly at Publisher@PhoenixPerformanceMagazine.com.