The first couple of years are crucial in the life of every business. They're fraught with challenges, any combination of which can quickly sink the endeavor before it gets a fair shot at success. So small business owners have a lot on their plate, whether it's issues with reaching customers, understanding and managing finances, or even scaling up to keep up with demand.
Ken Cox, the president of the hosting company Hostirian, might not be able to help every business solve every problem it has. However, he does what he can because he believes that businesses fulfill a crucial role in society.
"I believe that the kids that don't find mentorship in school do so among small business owners who own the shops on Main Street," he explains. "I firmly believe that, and those are the people I want to serve because I think they're getting crushed the hardest."
Most businesses in the United States are qualified as small businesses. Together, they employ close to half of the county's private-sector workforce. It's a vital part of the economy, and it's been yearning for help for a while now.
The pandemic hit small businesses especially hard. In its first year, the World Economic Forum reports that 34% of small businesses in the country were closed. Business owners felt the impact—according to a Capital One report, 42% of small business owners were experiencing burnout. More than half cited it as a barrier to success. And in 2023, fears of a looming recession aren't helping, either. Neither is inflation.
The one thing that no one going through all of that needs is another front where potential threats can attack. Any business that operates online has one such front. It's also easy to expect businesses with profits bitten by the pandemic, inflation, and logistics issues to save some expenses on their online security.
Even though online security is much more in Ken Cox's wheelhouse, he decided to contribute to small businesses and entrepreneurship in general, a bit more diverse. The best example is the Clicks and Bricks podcast, on which Ken is the host.
Clicks and Brick is a podcast that caters to business owners and entrepreneurs. Most of the guests who appeared on it were entrepreneurs, even though Ken has recently started inviting mayors to it, too. "We have them on to talk about saving Main Street and those shops," adds Ken Cox.
The things people can find out watching the podcast are the ideas and advice that can help address specific issues plaguing business owners. For example, there's an episode on dealing with burnout, how important it is to be ready to start a business, and how to empower women of color in the workplace.
Then, there's the technical advice about product development, AI integration, and various tips and tricks. Any topic a business owner might find valuable is probably covered, making the podcast a library of all things entrepreneurial.
Through his day job, however, Ken Cox has actively advocated for reclaiming privacy and security from the giant service providers. A big fan of some of Google's services, Ken isn't too keen on the company's attitude towards the information Google's users leave on their platform. He sees it as a major breach of security and confidentiality that businesses should be more aware of.
"A $250,000 a year company that employs three people is a hell of a little company," he says, "Its owner should be super proud of that, and they shouldn't be taken advantage of by the big guy. And we've left the doors open for the big guys, the Googles and the Walmarts, to get in. And I much prefer the quirky stuff on the side of the road. I want the small handmade stuff."
Through Hostirian, Ken can offer an alternative to one of Google's services that intrudes on its users the most—email. He also believes that sharing his views with vigor and much color is the best way to raise awareness of the problem and bring more solutions.
As a veteran in the IT space—he's been in it since 1999—Ken Cox has witnessed the evolution of technology and what it means for small businesses. And while there's no doubt that many things he's seen made it easier for businesses to operate and reach their customers, some have done the opposite.
With increased consolidation, finding alternatives is becoming increasingly difficult. Voices like Ken's are essential because, if nothing else, they remind business owners they can keep looking and even develop the solutions they need.
"I know how to generate sales. I want to do it in a positive way that helps the world move forward," Ken says. "And I think that today, with how we're selling each other's data, it just feels dirty." So, shining the light as he does is an excellent disinfectant.
