Hello again -

One of our goals is to identify 20,000 small business owners in Virginia who are commited to lifelong learning and who are actively working to those ends by supporting and participating within their local public television.

Our mission and that of the public television stations in the USA have much in common and it is very different from commercial television. Our television shows are uniquely dedicated to empowering people through continuing education. We, Small Business School (and Small Business 2000 from 1995-2001, and Small Business Today from 1994 - 1995), focus on the topic of work; and we search for the best examples among those people who, in creating work and wealth, make our world a better place.

We ask and find answers to the questions, "What is work? What is good work? And, what is value?" It is a close-up on how people discover their special gifts and how they convert these gifts into meaningful work. It is education by example and inspiration and that is the heart of empowerment.

Like many programs on public television, we go around the country to capture the best of the American spirit – people who follow their dreams. Our unique focus is on those people who start and grow a business. These people are value creators. They are the prime movers of social capital. In the opening of every show, we say they are "... today's pioneers and quiet heroes." They forge into unknown places. These people bring out the best within their employees, suppliers, resellers and customers.

Within this site we are prepared to host a description of every one of the 20,000 Virginia small businesses with an overview, study guide and transcript, and even a streaming video clip from their local public television station. There are about 175+ public television broadcasting groups in the USA. One of our goals is to get every station to do short introductions to outstanding small business owners within their community. Why not air one-a-day! What a gift it would be if every station were to profile a new small business every day. That could be well over 40,000 small business every year! Within ten years, 400,000 good businesses and their good owners would have been recognized.

What an alternative to Tony Soprano that would be! We finally recognize the good (and not the bad and the ugly like commercial television)!

If you appreciate what we are trying to do with Small Business School, please join us in thanking your local public television station. At least be sure your membership is current. If you are a small business owner and you're doing well, become a member of your local station's Producer's Club (usually $1000/year).

We need to support our Three Sopranos that create harmonies not those HBO Sopranos who thrash values and make a mockery of small business. In lifting up exploitation as an artform, cleverly shaping every second, HBO -- and so much of commercial television and our cinema -- encourages the weak, confuses the marginal and weakens the strong.

If you are not a member of your local PBS-member station, please join today! Public television needs small business owners like you! We are asking all our viewers to thank your station, become a member, and get involved with quality TV.

Our viewers and web visitors often respond -- and we welcome your notes. Some have told us they quit jobs and started a business because the success of others inspired them. Others have told us how they've adopted some of the working principles used by businessowners within episodes of the show. Some turned their businesses around. Other told of how their businesses took off! Our Master Class teachers have all reached a place in their life where they want to share their insights and experiences. In part it is their legacy. In part, they truly want to help make our little world a better place.

With our abiding thanks and every good wish for your greatest success,

Bruce Camber

PS. For information about your PBS-member station, go to our homepage for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Or, you can go back to our homepage for the WHRO-TV. This letter is one of our basic statements. There is also the mission statement, an explanation of the name of the show, and the story behind the show.