The President Proclaims November 19th as National Entrepreneurs’ Day

November 15, 2010

In May of 2010, David and I started a petition to the President to create a National Entrepreneurs’ Day. We didn’t understand why the most entrepreneurial country in the world didn’t have a day to recognize entrepreneurs.

Now, only 6 months and thousands of signatures later, it seems that the effort was worth it and that anything is possible: the President of the United States has proclaimed the last day of National Entrepreneurship Week, November 19th of this year, as National Entrepreneurs’ Day – making November a great month for entrepreneurs everywhere.

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 14 through November 20, 2010, as National Entrepreneurship Week. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this week with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate November 19, 2010, as National Entrepreneurs’ Day.”

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who signed and supported the petition and realized that this was more than just a novel idea, but a real movement to support entrepreneurs. A special thank you goes to the Kauffman Foundation for being our partner in this endeavor.

Fueling Progress

Back in May 2009, we launched a little video called Entrepreneurs Can Change the World; you may have seen it. The main goal of the video was to remind current and would-be entrepreneurs that anything is possible, even those dreams that you may have had as a kid, but decided were too lofty or were unrealistic. We wanted to remind people everywhere that with hard work, ambition and tenacity, we can create the future we imagine for ourselves.

Entrepreneurs are America’s real “bailout”; by investing in their ventures, we’ll be able to stimulate a real economic turnaround. Instituting our first National Entrepreneurs’ Day and having it recognized by the President is a major step towards fueling this incredible forward motion. So, we extend our deepest gratitude to the President for instituting this important addition to the calendar, and in doing so, shining a spotlight on the ways in which entrepreneurs support our economy and serve as catalysts for real economic growth.

What can you do on National Entrepreneurs’ Day?

Thank. If you know an entrepreneur, thank them for the ways in which they’ve made an impact on our economy thus far; the simple act of giving thanks can strengthen a connection or start a new one. If you’re an entrepreneur yourself, thank the individuals who brought you to where you are today. This is what National Entrepreneurs’ Day is all about.

Mentor. Perhaps there was someone who urged you to start your first business or helped you bring your first big idea to life; if so, they’ve played a part in making you the entrepreneur you are today. Return the favor and find an entrepreneur you can mentor through thick and thin.

Give. Kiva is an organization that promotes micro lending to alleviate poverty around the world. With corporate and institutional partners from Google to Ashoka, you can feel confident that your donation is going to reach a deserving entrepreneur somewhere in the world, and that, in turn, your donation will serve as a catalyst for change (if you doubt this, might I remind you that anything is possible?).

Pay it forward. You can help support fellow entrepreneurs by paying it forward with products, services, and/or your time. What’s easy for you may not be easy for another aspiring entrepreneur. Remember: a little help can go a long way.