This is the week we celebrate America’s Independence! Of course, that means traditions of fireworks, hot dogs, baseball, apple pie…in other words, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The Fourth is also an excellent reminder to take stock of what it truly means to be a small business owner in America. After all, independence is a big reason many small business owners do what they do.

There’s something to be said for being one’s own boss, and getting the job done the right way the first time. But, when you’re your own boss, that often times means you’re someone else’s boss, too. Are you the kind of boss you’d want to work for?

For instance, how would you react if one of your staff showed up wearing flip-flops tomorrow? Come on, don’t come down too hard. It’s a short week.

Something else to celebrate this Fourth, and a rare occurence at that: the Space Shuttle is rescheduled for an Independence Day launch.

The shuttle program has not been without its share of major challenges, yet this massive test of innovative and collaborative genius remains an inspiration to all. (On that note, so does anything that figures out how to make a better cubicle.) 1776 wasn’t all that long ago, but I can’t imagine the Founding Fathers could ever fathom that we’d be jetting off into space just a few generations later.

Also hard to believe that they could anticipate the global phenomenon of World Cup Soccer! I know a local fishmonger - a Frenchman - who is particularly ecstatic that France is still in the running. It is with no small amount of selfishness that I hope they can clinch victory again as they first did in 1998 - mainly because I recall the week-long celebration sale he held last time.

And, actually, it is somewhat fitting that France gets a nod at July 4th. After all, the French played no small part in helping us acheive Independence in the first place.

So, here’s to being independent, celebrating that Independence, and to the defenders of truth, justice and the American Way that got as all here in the first place.

Have a Happy Fourth, and keep up the Good Business.

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