Imagination, Courage, and Risk: The Heartbeat of Every Small Business

Imagination, Courage, and Risk: The Heartbeat of Every Small Business

I recently visited Keepers of Balance in Charlotte — a brand-new escape-room concept that immediately grabbed my attention. The owners brought in a Disney imagineer to craft immersive scenery, and the experience blends both mental puzzles and physical challenges.

Working through the rooms, navigating hidden compartments, using ancient relics to open new experiences, and crawling through tunnels, I found myself leaning into imagination, courage, and a bit of risk-taking. It brought to mind the very spirit of entrepreneurship.

In many ways, that’s exactly what small-business owners do. They imagine something new, take the leap, build from scratch, and keep moving when the path gets unclear. At Keepers of Balance, every clue, every set piece, every challenge reflects the same kind of hard work and guts that fuels so many small ventures.

Here are some compelling numbers about small businesses in the U.S.:

·       Small businesses (firms with fewer than 500 employees) account for 99.9 % of all U.S. businesses.

·       They employ about 45.9 % of American workers (roughly 59 million people).

·       They account for about 43.5 % of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). 

What this tells me: small businesses are anything but “small” in their impact. And when you support one — whether it’s an escape-room startup, a family-run café, a neighborhood service provider — you’re backing a story of creative leadership, risk, and community contribution.

So here’s my call to action:

➡️ The next time you’re looking for a meaningful outing, an interesting gift, or a way to give back locally — consider choosing a small business.

➡️ If you’re in Charlotte (or visiting), check out Keepers of Balance and bring along friends or family for the experience.

➡️ Share the small business you’ve discovered lately in your network, tag them, and help raise awareness.

➡️ And if you’re a leader or influencer, consider how you can elevate local entrepreneurs in your own circle — by partnering, collaborating, recommending, or simply telling their story.

And while supporting them during the holiday rush is wonderful (please do!), your support is even more important during the off-season — those quiet months when traffic slows and bills still come due. So yes, shop, dine, and play local during the holidays... and remember them in January, too.

YOUR support doesn’t just make a sale — it helps others achieve their dreams, one courageous idea at a time.

"Giving a gift from a small business is giving a gift twice."

Anonymous

Take a moment to explore, recommend, or celebrate a small business near you!

Dr. Julie Olsen