In this personal monologue, the speaker revisits his hometown of Boonton, New Jersey, highlighting local landmarks such as the Holmes Library and the Daris Theater. He observes the ebb and flow of small businesses in the town, noting a new shake shop as an example of fresh entrepreneurship. The speaker argues that small businesses are not merely the backbone but the entirety of the economy, citing Sara Blakely’s Spanx as a case where a modest idea grew into a billion‑dollar company. He pledges personal commitment to help other small‑business owners succeed, emphasizing that their success fuels the broader (global) economy. The talk ends with an enthusiastic encouragement for entrepreneurs to “crush it,” reinforcing the message that small businesses drive economic health.
Chapters
So we're walking through the town I grew up in. It's called Boonton, New Jersey, and I have a love for this town. Hopefully you have a love or admiration for the town you grew up in, even if you're not there anymore. I came back, and even though I swore I'd never ever come back to the town I grew up in, I did. And, uh, this library right here, that's the Holmes Library, is the library I never went to. But the theater next to it right there, it says Small Town Big Heart. It's called the Daris Theater, is where I saw my first movie, which was Grease Lightning. What's interesting is over the years, all these businesses here have changed. They've come and gone. And I've had an opportunity now being in this town to meet with small business owners, ones that just started up. In fact, there's one right down this block here to the left. It's a brand new shake shop. They make protein shakes and fruit shakes and stuff. And, um, What I've discovered is that small towns, big towns, all towns have small business, and small business is more than the backbone of the economy. In fact, that's why I say, "Oh, small business is the backbone of the economy." But the reality is small business is the economy. Somewhere in here, one of these businesses, one of these companies will go big. And become the next big business. All business is rooted in small business, or at least an original small idea. I was watching a video of, uh, Sara Blakely, who founded Spanx, and she just took an idea of pantyhose, cut off the feet, and started this whole trend to something new. A billion-dollar business. But that started off as a small business. Started in the garage, started in the dorm room, started as a small idea. I am devoted committed to your success. We have to make you successful. And I have a selfish reason, because it supplies for our economy. It provides for the global economy. So your success is important to you. It supplies or provides for you and your family. But gosh, it's mission critical for our entire economy. I'm all in in supporting you, whatever small town or big town you're in, wherever you are in the world. I got your back. I'm gonna give you everything I know to help your business be successful. Your job is just to crush it. Be successful. It supports all of us, including me. So thank you. Small businesses rule because small businesses are the economy. See you later. Over and out from— boo! Where I grew up.
