In the recent months, entrepreneurship has been a hot topic in Washington. From the proposed Startup Visa, to Senator Dodd’s financial reform strategies and even to the overall need for more job creation – many agree that entrepreneurship will play a large role in turning this country’s economic woes around. But one group in support of entrepreneurship is asking for something a little different from the President: a national holiday.
Siamak Taghaddos, co-founder of Grasshopper, a virtual phone system built for entrepreneurs, proposed this morning that March 20th, 2011 should be the first annual National Entrepreneurs’ Day in honor of all the good that has come to the nation through entrepreneurship. After all, this nation was build by entrepreneurs who took a risk on a crazy venture called America, so why shouldn’t entrepreneurs have their own day?
The purpose of having a day for entrepreneurship isn’t only to honor and remember the great entrepreneurs of our past, but to also band together in support for improving the future of the country’s forward thinkers. Taghaddos believes a day to honor the achievements of the nation’s entrepreneurs could serve to drive the country back toward economic prosperity.
“Entrepreneurs are America’s real ‘bailout’ in the sense that by investing in them and their ventures, we would stimulate a real economic turnaround,” writes Taghaddos. “Whether or not you agree with the politics, entrepreneurship is a vital part of any economic stimulus.”
Supporters can cast their vote by visiting EntrepreneursDay.org and signing a petition aimed at President Obama by logging in with their Twitter account. Do keep in mind, however, that doing so will automatically tweet your support out on your account, but that’s a small price to pay to help raise entrepreneurial awareness.
Many notable entrepreneurs have already signing the petition, including WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg, Jason Fried of 37Signals, video blogger Andrew Warner of Mixergy and Babak Nivi of Venture Hacks. Also included on the list of supporters is former New Hampshire Governor Craig Benson, and Babson College President Leanard Schlesinger.
Much like the Startup Visa movement, this petition for a national holiday seems like a no-brainer for fans of entrepreneurship. Why should we want to spread information and resources to as many people as possible? Why shouldn’t we recognize entrepreneurs for their achievements on a national stage? If you can find a discernible downside to this, please let us know about it in the comments below. Otherwise, go sign the petition and help entrepreneurs get the national recognition they deserve.
