(Akiit.com) President Bush calls it an economic “slowdown“, but those affected call it a full-blown recession - and rightfully so. Major airlines have folded, hundreds of thousands have lost their jobs, gas prices are “through the roof“, and the national foreclosure rate is at its highest ever.

In addition to all of this, small businesses across the country are drastically losing customers who no longer have money to spend with them. Black-owned companies, in particular, are affected the most. They have access to the least amount of resources to help in a situation like this, and they are not priority enough for any federal aid.

So, what can you to to beat the recession?

1) Increase your marketing. Buy in to low-cost solutions that are effective, and will drive customers your way. Consider classified advertising, press release distribution, search engine marketing, and directory advertising (Yellow Pages, Superpages.com, etc).

2) Consolidate your staff. No one likes having to let people go, but sometimes you have no choice. Reserve your most productive employees, and have them take on more responsibilities.

3) Break out the coupons, and buy in bulk. Subscribe online to receive coupons and discount offers from Office Depot, Office Max, and/or Staples. This will help you save money on your office supplies. Also, considering buying bulk from Sam’s Club - which has a special membership for small business owners.
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(Akiit.com) I have notice lately I have been spending alot of time online playing video games… Yes it can become addictive as there are so many sites online were one can visit and play for free… Wife tells me I need to slow down, and I shall do that… Kind of amaze at how things have changed as I can remember when the first Atari came out… Now we have the Nintendo Wii, Gamecube, and the fan favorite Playstation 3… Will need to upgrade my ram on the PC as it seems to slow down if a game has alot of graphics, etc… Oh well, thank god the weekend has arrived…

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(Akiit.com) I see that times are changing, as one can’t turn on the TV without seeing Britney Spears or some other celebrity… It amazes me how when people get money, they feel the need to go wild… Doing drugs become the norm, as later many shall have to seek addiction treatment because of one’s trifling ways… Gladly I’m here for my kids and shall keep them on the right path… Yes being a parent is hard at times, but nothing I would give up…

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(Akiit.com) It’s been hot around here lately, as I will need to keep the air conditioning on… Hard to relax but I shall be ok… Anyway, I was looking at myself in the mirror, and notice a few bumps… Yes my face is once again breaking out, as a good acne treatment should help me regain a smooth youthful appearance… Never nice to not look your best, so keeping myself vibrant is a must… Well let me do alittle surfing before I chill and see what’s on TV…

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(Akiit.com) I never saw my father wear a flag pin, but he was a patriot. He was more faithful to the United States of America than I would have been if my life had been as burdened by legally sanctioned racism.

He grew up in the Jim Crow South, where his opportunities were severely limited. He attended inferior schools and was taught to be deferential to whites. He endured vicious bigotry inside the newly integrated Army, where he served as a lieutenant, and out.

When he returned from Korea as a combat veteran, he bought a baby blue 1953 Chevrolet. In one ugly episode that he recounted, he stopped to buy gas at a small service station in rural Alabama, where he lived. The attendant, apparently outraged to see a black man in a brand-new car, said, “Nigger, if you want that car, you better get it the hell out of here.” No gas.

Yet my father rarely showed anger or frustration over the social and institutional bigotry that could easily have cast a pall over his life. He went to college, got married and reared four children. He encouraged us to work hard, to worship God, to respect authority. Every now and then, I caught a glimpse of his frustrations, but little more. He didn’t want his children to grow up embittered.
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