You can be on Entrepreneur’s cover!

Thank You, Small Business It has been a trying several weeks, but we have so much to be proud of.

By TYSB

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Jay Ryan Donayre/EyeEm | Getty Images

It is hard to believe that six weeks ago we were all living life as we previously knew it and making plans for the life we thought was ahead.

It has been an exhausting six weeks. It has been a frustrating and angering six weeks. It has been a scary and anxiety-inducing six weeks. It has been a life- and business-altering six weeks.

And yet, every day — over and over and over again — I have seen small-business owners around the world step up, persist and display the type of character that I am inspired by.

I saw an amazing quote last week. It reminded that character is not built during crisis, but that character is revealed during crisis. How true is that? I look around and I see people who have been revealed as power hungry and self-centered, but I have also seen people who are kind, generous and committed to the greater good. And so many small business owners fit into that category.

Related: 10 Ways Business Owners Can Take Advantage of the Federal Stimulus Package

I have never been so proud of small-business owners. This is my thank you letter to you.

Dear Small-Business Owner,

I am so sorry for all that you are going through. I know that this is an incredibly hard time for you and your family, teams and community.

I am impressed by how little time you have spent complaining and how, instead, you have chosen to get into action.

I have been moved by how little I have seen you hoarding or trying to protect only yourself and how, instead, you have been freely giving whatever you have to others.

I am inspired by how you are responding to the situation we are in with creativity and innovation instead of fear.

I have cried real tears as I think about your life's work flashing before your eyes and your resolve to pick up and keep going.

I am angry that you are not getting the financial support you deserve from the government, landlords and other people that should be supporting you right now. And I am constantly amazed at how many of you have taken those hits without missing more than a step and kept moving forward.

I am genuinely grateful that you are committed to finding ways to do what you do in very unusual circumstances so that I can still get the food, supplies and services that I need.

I am amazed by all of your efforts to not just keep going, but to help fellow business owners.

When I worry about the economy or when I wonder how this will all turn out, I look back at all of you. I see your courage, generosity, creativity, tenacity, adaptability, commitment and kindness, and I know we will be OK. Not because of governments or big companies, but because of you. Each and every one of you.

Thank you, small business.

TYSB

Silver Lining's Global Movement in support of small business

Thank You Small Business is a global movement to support, celebrate and quite literally say THANK YOU to small-business owners. When small businesses succeed, families are taken care of, jobs are created, communities are invested in and the economy grows. #SMALLbizisBIG #TYsmallbiz

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Side Hustle

He Took His Side Hustle Full-Time After Being Laid Off From Meta in 2023 — Now He Earns About $200,000 a Year: 'Sweet, Sweet Irony'

When Scott Goodfriend moved from Los Angeles to New York City, he became "obsessed" with the city's culinary offerings — and saw a business opportunity.

Personal Finance

How to Get a Lifetime of Investing Experience in Only One Year

Plus, how day traders can learn a lesson from pilots.

Branding

94% of Customers Say a Bad Review Made Them Avoid Buying From a Brand. Try These 4 Techniques to Protect Your Brand Reputation.

Maintaining a good reputation is key for any business today. With so many people's lives and shopping happening online, what is said about a company on the internet can greatly influence its success.

Travel

Save on Business Travel with Matt's Flight's Premium, Only $80 for Life

This premium plan features customized flight deal alerts and one-on-one planning with Matt himself.

Science & Technology

Here's One Reason Urban Transportation Won't Look the Same in a Decade

Micro-EVs may very well be the future of city driving. Here's why, and how investors can get ahead of it.

Marketing

I Got Over 225,000 Views in Just 3 Months With Short-Form Video — Here's Why It's the New Era of Marketing

Thanks to our new short-form video content strategy, we've amassed over 225,000 video views in just three months. Learn how to increase brand awareness through short-form video content.