GUEST COLUMNIST: Let local business improve W. Phila.

Napoleon Vaughn Napoleon Vaughn In its foray into the economic plight facing West Philadelphia neighborhoods, The Daily Pennsylvanian mires head first into the stratagem of never-having-met-a-payroll pundits: paternalism. More specifically, many exclude input from residents, most of whom are African Americans like myself. To solve our problem, these know-it-alls shoulder the "white man's burden." Like darkest Africa, the "white father" decides what is best for the poor black children. Ignored is the fact millions of us reached adulthood long ago. UMD has done market research for mom-and-pop stores, local companies and international corporations such as AT&T; and Scott Paper Company. We also evaluated the 300,000 residents' quality of life in North Philadelphia for the Model City's Program. The aforesaid, in part, buttresses my stand against the benevolent yoke which fosters economic dependency. Contrary to naysayer sages, we can do it ourselves. So, chunk the notion "to bring (biotechnology) companies to West Philadelphia that will complement the area," ("New businesses can get us out of economic slump," DP, 3/3/97). Such companies create hi-tech jobs, yes, but mostly for those high on the totem pole. And three years for them to pull it off would mean a heap of folks have fallen through the cracks, during "the end of welfare as we know it." Beyond that, pursuing a job today becomes "Just Over Broke" in this era of mergers, downsizings, out-sourcings, and layoffs. Some 12,100 jobs left the city just about two years ago, one in eight took flight since 1988. Why not promote home-based businesses for neighborhood residents to become their own boss? We, too, cry out for a piece of the American Dream. With money, not too far behind is owning a home, its improvement, then the neighborhood. Franchisers cough up an initial kitty, say, $55,200 -- $125,000 to a parent company, as well as ongoing money on a percentage basis from earned profits, plus $250,000 for building and equipment. Ouch! A few hook up with a venture capitalist and surrender 70 percent ownership. Many go it alone; several fold up tent. By contrast, one in the home business is estimated to start daily; 95 percent succeed the first year, full- and part-time owners hit 24.3 million; income skyrockets to $50,250 a year versus $26,000; and revenues total approximately $401 billion. About 44 percent of America's households support some form of home office, and 66 percent comprise women owners -- 33 percent of all U.S. businesses. Tupperware. Avons. Mary Kay. Princess House. These led the way -- first as part-time ventures primarily for the so-called weaker sex's interest only in extra bucks. They later developed viable businesses. Amway took it still to another level. This granddaddy of network marketing moved soap products and more all around the world. Let's bypass the cottage industry route for independent representatives who now embrace network marketing, leverage, residuals. These are exploding nationally, with team training and hands-on support. Entrepreneurships and various underpinnings also penetrate the underground economy. Take the single mother on welfare, resident in a public housing project home, who from her living room sells potato chips, canned sodas, juices and more assisted by her son. The never married mother, also on welfare, in a Section 8 scatter home, had a cardboard sign on the front porch: water ice, pretzels, and candy. Such fire power, although at a minimum, follows dreams and commuting time is just those seconds it takes for feet to hit the bedroom floor. Mention of telecommunications in the DP editorial evokes names like Excel, ACN, LCI and today WorldConnect -- tops in the field. These upstart multi-level marketers peck away at the billions of dollars now surfacing after AT&T;'s separation from its Baby Bells. Long distance. Phonecards. Pagers. Cellular phones. Budding entrepreneurs pay no franchise fees. They might get their feet wet for far less than $500, yet reap repeated commissions in fast turnaround time month after month, after month? indefinitely from working various business opportunities. Some representatives may become financially independent minus inventory, employees, collections, or need for sales experience. A few even join the millionaire ranks. Already saddled in Fortune 500 companies, Travelers Insurance Company, one among them, spreads its umbrella logo through Primerica, a network marketing and home-base organization for selling the giant's products and services. Home businesses might grow into small businesses. Away from kitchens, bedrooms, and garages, they provide the engines for 80 percent of the nation's new jobs. Rather than promote the "good job" almost on the way of the horse and buggy, hit hard on the worth of home bound businesses. Who knows, perhaps we will have an answer to the following question: Is there another Bill Gates out there who creates a new brand of Microsoft? We, neighboring residents, demand a seat at the table. What we own, we often value. Our destiny is in our hands. It's okay to partner, but the days of going it without us no longer fly. The spirit of the Million Man March lives!