by Dave Boucher
Herald Staff Writer
It is no secret that many businesses, large and small, have struggled to stay afloat during the current recession. The ebb and flow of small business owners’ spirits needs to come to an end though, according to small business owner and Executive Leadership Coach George Morse.
In an attempt to help encourage and motivate small business owners throughout Michigan, Morse is running in 83 communities and 200 towns and cities for his “1000 Miles for Michigan” program. “People are going through tough times right now, and this is a way to help them not give up,” Morse said. “I want to help raise awareness for how valuable small businesses are for the local economy.”
Morse runs five miles in every town or city he visits, stopping to chat with local business owners along the way. He visited Gratiot County last week, stopping by at several stores in Alma and Ithaca, including the Wooden Spoon Bakery, Alma True Value, Hometown Cellars and Sip-N-Knit.
Morse said the interactions at these stores were beneficial, and he is encouraged to see upbeat business owners. “When I see a business is open, and the owners have a positive attitude, I know they believe in the success of the state,” Morse said.
He said the recent football state championship for the Yellowjackets proves the local community understands how far faith in a cause can lead. “Ithaca knows about the power of belief,” Morse said.
The owner of five Subway franchises, the Oscoda native has experience in not only running a business, but running in general. He has focused on small business counseling for the last six years as well, and wanted to combine his love and knowledge of business, coaching, Michigan and athletics with his run around the state.
“We want to have an environment in the state where business can thrive,” Morse said. “But it’s up to the individual owners to be successful. It takes personal initiative and action.” As a way to chronicle his travels and raise more awareness for small businesses, Morse uploads pictures and videos from many of his destinations to his website, thousandmilesformichigan.com.
He wants to get as many business owners to pledge their belief for the state, and he found some willing participants during his time in Gratiot County. “If you look at his website and his blog, he’s doing a great job of advertising where he went, and I feel honored he stopped by Ithaca,” said Ithaca Downtown Development Director Becky Roslund.
“He’s encouraging people to go to other communities to shop this holiday season. We wants people to come here to shop, and people should go to other places to see what is out there as well, so I think it’s a great idea.”
Morse will wrap up his first 500 miles on December 18 in Frankenmuth. After a short break for the holidays, he will resume the run, with the final miles coming in Lansing on April 28 to coincide with “Michigan Celebrates Small Business” day, according to Morse.
In the meantime, he will continue to battle blisters and aches in order to spread the word on how to improve the small business environment in Michigan.
“Getting out of high school, there was the saying ‘The last one out of Michigan turn out the lights.’ It bothered me then and now,” Morse said. “It’s a tough environment, but the notion that Michigan’s best days are behind us is not true.”
Published in the Gratiot County Herald 12/9/2010
