READY TO LEARN SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE?

...or to listen to it in the author's own voice, click HERE

It's December 26.
 
It's the day after Christmas.
 
Boxing Day.
 
And I came to wish everyone happy Boxing Day!
 
Happy Boxing Day, everyone!
 
Of course, there's one small problem.
 
In the United States, from whence this screed originates?
 
WE DON'T CELEBRATE BOXING DAY
 
Yes, we were once part of the British Empire. That's apparently a common denominator for countries not of the UK that celebrate Boxing Day.
 
For what it's worth, Boxing Day is generally recognized as a day when postmen, errand-boys, and servants expect a Christmas-box from their respective employers. That info is just a click away!
 
Nonetheless, to this day, despite our heritage and the globe-spanning nature of the electronic climate in which we live, you say, "Boxing Day" to one of your fellow Americans, and you get a blank stare or a monosyllable like, "Hanh?"
 
Then again, due to the globe-spanning nature of the electronic climate in which we live, this screed has fans all around the world.
 
The thing is, I can't tell you where the screed's readers are other than the US and Canada. I'm not privy to that information.
 
So, to the Canadians, we can say, "Happy Boxing Day."
 
However, as for the podcast?
 
THE PODCAST ALSO HAS LISTENERS ALL AROUND THE GLOBE
 
Interestingly, according to the stats available from my syndication service, despite there being fans of the screed there, none of the podcast listeners are in Canada.
 
But one of those listeners is in the UK.
 
So, Happy Boxing Day, Mr. or Ms. UK Podcast Listener.
 
The podcast has more listeners in China. 

But since China was not part of the British Empire (unless you count Hong Kong), China does not celebrate Boxing Day.
 
But let's not discount Hong Kong.
 
Hello Hong Kong! If you're listening, Happy Boxing Day!
 
SO, THAT'S ABOUT THREE POSSIBLE PODCAST LISTENERS WHO CELEBRATE BOXING DAY
 
Here's where it gets interesting.
 
You know where the most listeners to the podcast version of the screed are, outside of the United States?
 
Drum roll, please...
 
Happy Boxing Day to all our listeners in Botswana!
 
You heard me.
 
Hot Shots has a fan base in Botswana.
 
Didn't see that one coming.
 
BOTSWANA USED TO BE A PART OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
 
I did not know that.
 
My history of the British Empire is somewhat shaky.
 
So hello, Wikipedia!
 
Since its independence from the UK, Botswana has had one of the fastest growth rates in per capita income in the world.
 
Formerly one of the poorest nations in the world, it is now a middle-income country.
 
There's a high level of economic freedom.
 
The government maintains sound fiscal policy and a tiny amount of foreign debt.
 
Human rights are protected under the constitution.
 
AND, SMALL BUSINESS IN BOTSWANA IS A THING
 
Search "small business in Botswana," and Google does not disappoint.
 
One website (which looks like 2017 and not 1997) has an article called, "5 GREAT BUSINESS IDEAS FOR YOUTH IN BOTSWANA ."
 
They suggest Custom Made Clothing, Arts and Crafts, Magazine Publishing, Fast Food Franchise, and Baby Sitting Services.
 
An article on the top 20 reasons to do business in Botswana include everything from political stability, safety and security and lack of corruption to low levels of taxation, great technology and infrastructure, and a literate and skilled population.
 
LET'S START A BABY-SITTING BUSINESS IN BOTSWANA! WHO'S WITH ME?!
 
Hmm.
 
Kinda quiet out there.
 
Well, anyway, Botswana sounds like a Southern Africa garden spot.
 
So, to you in Botswana who are paying attention on this Boxing Day (which we understand you celebrate), Happy Boxing Day!
 
AND IF YOU'RE INCLINED TO SHARE, I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR BOTSWANA SMALL-BUSINESS SUCCESS STORY
 
Just send an email to submissions at slow burn marketing dot com.
 
To everyone else here in the US where Boxing Day remains largely a mystery, if you've got a small-business success story you'd like to share for possible inclusion here in the screed, feel free to use the same address.
 
Hope your Christmas was merry, your Hanukkah was happy, your Kwanzaa is capital, and if there's any other holiday that you celebrate, here's to that one as well.
 
See you again in the New Year. 
As always,
Blaine Parker
Your Lean, Mean Creative Director in
Park City

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