July is my favorite month of the year and not just because it’s the month that I was born (It’s the 22nd in case you were wondering). It’s also my favorite because it is the month we celebrate our nation’s creation of the Declaration of Independence. It is this document that gave birth to the phrase “Life. Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Perhaps no phrase in American history is better known or has had a greater impact than these powerful words about equality and rights.
For all entrepreneurs, starting a business is the route to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” It’s the foundation of the American dream that has been the goal of people living in our country for over 230 years. Having the independence to make your own decisions and forge your own livelihood is considered the key benefits of being an entrepreneur. Innovative thinking and subsequent job creation are the results of free and independent people.
From November 17-23, Washington State will join the rest of the world and celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week. It is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. Last year our state was a leader in producing 109 events in 34 counties and introducing more than 150 ideas for new businesses. To view all the events that took place, go to StartupWashington. You can also see what your county did by clicking on the + next to global entrepreneurship week on the left side.
Over the next month, I will be contacting you so we can continue to inspire Washington entrepreneurs through local activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators. I also encourage you to work with your high schools so that you can introduce new opportunities for the next generation of businesses for your community. Let’s fully appreciate what independence means not only to our history but also to our future and together build on the profound legacy of our nation’s declaration to the world so long ago.