Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

Barack Obama: Entrepreneur-elect

By Justin Petruccelli

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

During the presidential campaign, a lot was made about what each candidate would or wouldn't do for small business--so much so that a guy whose name wasn't really Joe and who wasn't really a plumber became a national figure by asking how Barack Obama's tax plan might affect the hypothetical small business he couldn't afford to buy.

Now that it's all said and done, it would be easy to start worrying about what Barack Obama will do for small businesses as president. But rather than speculate, why not just take a close look at how Obama ran his campaign, which in itself was more than a little entrepreneurial.

First and foremost, Obama broke the mold. Like any entrepreneur, he discovered a different and better way to run for president. His highly organized ground game energized his base while also creating results in states his party hadn't won in years, if not decades.

Like any entrepreneur, Obama thought big. Even after only four years in the Senate, he believed enough in the need for change and his own ability to create it despite criticism about his lack of experience throughout the entire campaign.

Obama's politcal branding was clear and consistent, just like a successful small business. At the same time, his campaign was adaptable and nimble when it needed to be, creating effective messages on a moment's notice at key points in the race and adjusting to unexpected moves by the McCain camp.

Obama will have plenty of friends in Congress to help him pass the sorts of tax reforms he discussed during his run for the White House, and it remains to be seen how those reforms would affect small business. But his revolutionary campaign seems to paint a clear picture that, at the very least, he can relate to what makes a small business work.

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

Business News

You Have One Month Left to Buy a House, According to Barbara Corcoran. Here's Why.

"If you are planning on waiting a year and seeing where interest rates go, you are out of your mind," Corcoran said.

Franchise

The McRib Is Back, But Only at Select McDonald's — Here's Where to Find It

This scarcity is nothing new. In 2022, McDonald's announced a "Farewell Tour" for the McRib, suggesting that it might be the last time customers could get their hands on it.

Business News

These 3 Side Hustles Make the Most Money While Working Fewer Hours, According to a New Survey

The survey also found that having a side hustle doubled as a path to becoming more employable.

Side Hustle

I Made $14,000 in 1 Week With a Spontaneous Halloween Costume Side Hustle — Here's How

Sabba Keynejad was in art school when he started to refine his entrepreneurial skills.

Business News

This Is the Goal-Setting Method Shohei Ohtani Learned in High School That Helped Get Him to the World Series

The MLB superstar's success did not come as a surprise to him. He had a plan.

Business News

This New Restaurant Is Banking on One Dish — Because It's the Only Entrée on the Menu

The new hotspot is gaining buzz on social media for its innovative yet super simple concept.