Entrepreneurs hopeful, even in tough times

The anonymous quote, "An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; a pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity," is suited to our current economic situation.

Last year, the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce hosted the first annual Diversity Business Fair. By all accounts, it was a phenomenal success.

The QCAACC assists minority and women-owned businesses in building relationships with persons responsible for purchasing decisions in the public and private sectors.

News of a 2009 Diversity Business Fair made me think about to what extent the economic downturn might dampen enthusiasm. Still, my recollection of the motivated entrepreneurs who attended last year moved me to attend.

In happier, more prosperous times -- before an unemployment rate closing in on 10 percent, collapsing credit markets, record foreclosures and job losses of more than 7 million -- enthusiastic business owners, had filled the Hollywood Casino Meyer Ballroom with an infectious optimism

It was difficult to imagine that a year after unprecedented hardship had devastated businesses nationwide the mood would be unchanged.

Frankly, my concern grew, as did my fear that the outcome might be disheartening.

Going in, my strategy was to speak with the same business owners that I had interviewed the previous year. I wanted to know if our hard-hit economy had changed their outlook. It crossed my mind that they might not have survived the difficult times.

Once there, I spotted several vendors with booths outside of the ballroom and assumed the worst. I confess that it was difficult to accept that the robust and tremendously successful fair had dwindled to a handful of vendors.

However, as I got nearer, the familiar clatter of business bustle spilled out of the ballroom. A closer looked revealed that the room was filled to capacity.

Then, as if appearing on cue, the always upbeat director of Aurora's Economic Development Commission, Sherman Jenkins, informed me that 75 vendors were attending the fair.

Look, there simply is no one better to assess the overall pulse of the local business community. A jubilant Jenkins expressed his optimism saying, "Despite the economy, businesses are increasing their efforts to market and promote products and services. It is impressive to see businesses throughout the northern Illinois region make their way to Illinois' second largest city. The businesses in attendance are some of the firms that will help to bring our economy back to prosperity."

A few minutes later, I spotted Jena Palmby, a business owner I had talked with last year.

Palmby's company, S&C Promotion Products, markets merchandise to businesses to help increase sales and productivity. It is, to some extent, a barometer of how local businesses are faring.

It was as if we were continuing our conversation from last year. A buoyant Palmby astutely observed that, "Given the economic downturn, business owners are looking for new opportunity. It is in this environment that the vitality and spirit of the American entrepreneur shines."

A testament to their mettle, almost every vendor who attended the event last year had returned.

I spent some time walking around, chatting with the business owners who had come from as far away as California and Georgia. In the end, I was not surprised that they echoed Palmby's entrepreneurial fervor.

Anthony Stanford is a freelance writer living in Aurora. Contact him at bmhtales@sbcglobal.net