I promise you one thing is true - our staff is hard at work every day -- improving every aspect of our program and services offered. It’s been almost two years since we first launched ABC in mid-July, 2006. Back then, all we had to offer our members was a window sticker, an assortment of small business discounts, and the promise of more on the horizon. I personally recruited some of those members, and I can say that within this original group are some of the most loyal and proud members we have today. They’ve witnessed our growth firsthand - as we learned from our mistakes, improved on the things we did right, and leveraged those efforts to build a membership benefit package more robust than any small business organization offers today.

Before lift-off, our concept was simple: Create the largest and most influential network of small businesses in America. Since inception, we’ve been able to successfully add thousands of new members and help many small business owners stay in business, grow their businesses and make more money.

Today, we’ve brought on a staff of over 60 dedicated professionals to service our members – bringing incredible talent in the areas of marketing, business research, operations, public relations, Web development and more. The sum of our enormous efforts is apparent by everything we offer our members as well as here on the Web site for public consumption. Our goals and aspirations here at ABC are as grandiose as ever.

America’s Best magazine is taking on a new feel and tackling new subjects with Lisa Doyle, our new Managing Editor, at the helm. More in-depth feature coverage and highly useful departmental articles will grace the next edition. Trust me; you won’t be able to put it down.

Then, of course, there is our ever-evolving Web site. Gowithabc.com came into existence as a marketing tool for us and a way for our members to access the discounts and services of our partners. Today, our content has grown hand over fist; under the sometimes not-so-gentle pen of our new Web Editor, Charles Cooper, we have expanded from company news to stories and articles that will make you think, teach you new things, make you laugh and, perhaps, make you zealous enough to do something with and for your fellow small businessmen.

Our partners and affiliates are growing and offering more and more to our membership each and every day. When we approach prospective partners, they already understand that we represent thousands of active decision-makers involved in all types of small businesses. The more members we are able to band together, the greater our buying power and more successful our advertising reach. More than ever, the future of small business depends on the commitment of independent business owners to join together and fight back against the big-box stores. The member dues we receive allow us to impact public awareness and make a significant difference for the small business owner.

To accomplish our mission, we’ve put together the best possible tools and information to help small businesses compete with the big guys and obtain more customers quickly, easily, and cost effectively. Here are some of the perks ABC members enjoy:

1. Subscription to our magazine, America's Best, which provides the most current information and advice available to help small businesses run as efficiently as possible.
2. Big discounts. We’ve negotiated discounts on a wide selection of goods and services for all of the most common small business needs. Members save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on insurance, printing, shipping, health care, Web services, etc. You can view over 100 of our small business discounts here.
3. Get found online. Our team works with every member to create an informational-rich profile of your business. We then publish this listing on our local search directory (ezlocal.com), as well as several big-name search sites like Yahoo, MSNlocal, Yellowbook.com, and Yellowpages.com.
4. For a small additional fee, create a Web site. With myABCspace.com, we provide an easy-to-use tool where business owners can easily create a Web site in fifteen minutes or less. In-store specials, coupons, photos, videos, and more can be uploaded quickly and modified often.
5. Proudly display ABC membership. Small businesses can use our promotional pieces to enhance their advertising in-store with ABC window decals, certificate of membership, business cards, mailing labels, and more.

In short, we are committed to insuring the American Dream remains alive, traveling along whatever road this quest may lead us to. Be sure to come along for the ride and join us as we continue to develop and unfold many new and innovative programs. The American Dream starts with you. We can help. Join us today!