This site is about one thing: Freedom.
Freedom from an oppressive corporate life. Freedom to live your dream. Freedom to finally have the work that you love, the money that you need, and the autonomy that you deserve. Freedom from poverty. Freedom to live a life of purpose that you can believe in. And the freedom that the holistic integration of work and life can bring to you and your family.
This site is home base for all of my microBusiness activities. I hope it has value for existing microBusinesses (aka mBiz or micros) of all types. I’m certain it will help innovators and dreamers who are thinking about starting their own microBusinesses, and for those who have tasted the bitterness of poverty and see microBusiness ownership as a way out. If you’re looking for a better way to manage your life, a more fulfilling line of work, or if you want to build a life of freedom you will find food for thought here. And hopefully, you will find answers to some of your most pressing questions. I believe that microBusiness ownership is one way to achieve a life and lifestyle that can make you happy.
I’m a microBusiness pioneer
I was a microBusiness owner before the term was coined. I’ve been an mBiz owner for virtually all of my working life. I owned an mBiz before it was cool; when you tried to hide the fact that you were working from the basement, or the kitchen table, or the garage. I ran a microBusiness when the neighbors called it, "your little moonlighting thing”-- before the age of computers and cell phones.
I’ve also held corporate positions, but I like micros better—way better. I’ve created several microBusinesses throughout my career, and a few of them didn’t work out. Failure was a learning experience. And, I might add, my failures never made me want to go back to a corporate job. Along the way I’ve discovered many things that work, and many things that don’t work. I’ve learned about choosing the right business, about marketing, about the emotional currency that you will have tied up in a micro. I’ve learned about work/life balance, about soloing, and about the psychology of running a very small enterprise—often by yourself. And I’m still learning about living a life of purpose. I intend to share what I’ve learned during the past 40 years, and in opening this blog up to other writers and commenters, I will also share what others have learned. I hope you will contribute your ideas, comments, questions, and concerns.
I work with all kinds of microBusinesses, in a variety of ways
My work encompasses the publication of this blog, contributing to other blogs and social networks, mBiz workshops, mBiz coaching services, e-books on microBusiness topics, and products of interest to micros everywhere.
There’s a common misconception that says if you’re an mBiz you must be in the high-tech industry, either a programmer or consultant; or you operate some sort of Internet business. But the fact is that many successful micros are involved in low-tech or no-tech businesses. And believe it or not, many micros in this, the 21st century, still don’t use computers!
For example, you may read my profile of the Tomato Lady, or the guy who washes windows for a living. Yes, even in our non-stop, always connected digital world, there are viable non-tech businesses that provide a comfortable living for their owners.
Today, microBusiness is an economic powerhouse--it’s huge! But individually we’re still very small (and I believe with a unique mindset). Today (with the help of technology) people work from poolside, their cars, the coffee shop, the airport, hotel rooms, or in the woods along US 90, halfway across the Florida panhandle while on a 200-mile bicycle trip.
It’s a sad irony that micros provide a livelihood for more people in the US than any industry, and yet they get the least amount of acknowledgement or respect. Together, we can change that.
Other facts about me
I was born with an entrepreneurial glint in my eye. I’ve been a lemonade stand proprietor, a shoe shine boy in my Dad’s barbershop, and a kid that provided yard maintenance to my neighbors. The first business that the IRS knew about was when I was in high school during the late ‘60s. I owned United Janitor Service and had cleaning contracts at several commercial buildings. Then adult life hit me squarely in the face; I had corporate jobs (a whole bunch of other stuff happened), and several other microBusinesses (some flops) ensued.
Today, I own Lloyd Lemons, Inc. I’m a soloist, and my work includes commercial writing for companies around the world, consulting on marketing communications, and occasional commercial photography assignments. Additionally, I own mBiz, a company that provides inspiration, guidance and resources to microBusiness owners of all types.
I love technology. Technology has made running an efficient, profitable, home-based microBusiness easier than ever before. I use technology extensively. Without technology, much of what is being accomplished today wouldn’t be possible. (If you’re a technophobe you need to adapt, because technology will only become more important as time goes on; it will be invaluable to you as a microBusiness owner.)
I’m married (32 years) and have raised two sons. One is a commercial pilot, and one is in the United States Marines.
I believe the second most rewarding thing in my life is helping others achieve happiness, fulfillment, and stability in their lives by means of their own microBusiness. The most rewarding thing is my family.
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