With the economy in the downward spiral it's in today, a lot of people are thinking about starting up their own businesses. Resiliency has always been a strength of the developed countries on this continent, one might say it is both and American and a Canadian trade mark. This is the continent where the middle class really began to make strides, and it's the continent where the economic recovery will start.

The way to get started again is through individual innovation and efforts. Ten years ago, starting a business was easy. All you had to do was look into the most successful businesses out there, including franchises. Canada and the United States and Mexico signed an agreement that saw cooperation between all three countries, and that made things easier than ever.

However, we are living in a markedly different world today. The Internet and high tech equipment has taken over business as we know it. Business both large and small count on telecommunications for everything from electronic design and manufacturing to shipping. It's a time when individual enterprises can really shine, and you can do it from just about anywhere. That includes from a Jackson zip.

Jackson is a fairly small city , but we have been open for business - literally - for longer than most places in the United States. Jackson had its own Chamber of Commerce seven years before the national body was formed. Ask any financial expert from Ron Meisels to Bill Gates, and they'll tell you that's a good sign of a business friendly community.

The chamber itself is made up of local business people from all sectors, and it's a great place to network and make the connections you need in order to be successful. If you run an online printing service, for example, you need to know where you can find clients. What better place than in a group made up of the community's business leaders? As most transactions of a company are business to business, it only makes sense to stay in touch with company leaders.

The chamber is not just a great place for networking, it also includes several initiatives designed to heighten the chance for your business's success. The small business Smart Start program offers a comprehensive guide to making your way in the city of Jackson.

It's a new world for business out there, rife with opportunity. Knowing where to look for resources and connections in Jackson is the first step in growing a successful company.