BUSINESS. ENTREPRENEURISM. DEMOCRACY.

by David Lane, VP CCPA and President/CEO LevLane

This month, my partner and I celebrated our 37th year in business. We began in his second floor bedroom, and thanks to the talents and loyalties of former and current staff, we have reached an anniversary that few businesses achieve. Everyone’s hard work, high levels of integrity, and unwavering persistence (with some luck thrown in) has been the recipe for keeping our business in business.

But the appalling events in the Nation’s capitol several weeks ago, the predictable result of several months of unfettered behavior, have led me to consider a broader perspective that in many ways provided the foundation for our success, and I think you may agree, for yours too.

Essential for any business in this country is the belief in economic liberty guaranteed by our Constitution, and the privilege of entrepreneurism protected in our Democracy. The freedom to start a business, pursue dreams, collaborate with associates and colleagues, help support and grow families, work to better one’s abilities, are only possible because we live in a country founded by some pretty-smart folks, who have provided a framework that holds almost 250 years after it was written.

On January 6, we witnessed our Democracy under attack. I guess you could say that until then I took for granted that the milestone our business achieved is because we are just that good. But no, being good is just a small part of the story. The bigger and more important part is that we live in a country that permits our success to exist in the first place. Without that, then nothing. Nothing!

So, as we begin our 38th year in business, I appreciate our success in a much different light. It wasn’t simply the above success recipe, but the good fortune to be born and live in the U.S., governed by a system that gave us permission to start a business, hire staff, produce ads, serve clients, help others, and be rewarded for hard work.

I know these comments ring true with our CCPA family. Our members and guests represent businesses large and small; profit and non-profit; private and public; local, regional, and state government. All of us working to achieve our own measures of success. Today I am thankful that our Democracy protects those opportunities. CCPA is 42 years old. Our republic almost 250 years. Here’s to at least another 42 for CCPA, and infinitely more for the USA.

Articles from CCPA's members, volunteers or contributors reflect the personal views of the author in their individual capacity. They do not represent the views of CCPA's board of directors or members and is not sponsored or endorsed by them.