The Hartford Courant:
The recession has spawned a new generation of self-employed microbusiness entrepreneurs.
But they are not typically the innovators that many hope will lift the country out of choppy waters. Rather, they are what economists call “forced entrepreneurs” — like Staci Byers.
The Hartland, Conn., mother of eight — with four children still at home — lost her job as a trucker six months ago. Her husband, also a trucker, lost his job at the same time.
“You’re working one day,” said Byers, 50, “and, all of a sudden, you’re unemployed by no fault of your own.”
Byers is throwing all of her time and money into making and selling herbal medicine and teas — a hobby she had taken up over the years.
They are the face of this new, yet familiar, generation of microbusinesses. The housecleaners. The handymen. The home-based retailers. People who have fallen on hard times and see no other way of keeping afloat than to create jobs for themselves.
This rise has Jim DeBetta’s phone ringing off the hook. The Marietta, Ga., business consultant, who coaches start-up business owners, said he has been so swamped with calls from people who have lost their jobs that he hired an assistant to handle the flow.
“In a way, there are a lot of good things that’ll come from people looking to take control of their own destiny,” he said. “That kick in the butt is just what they needed.”
Photo by Hartford Courant.