Small and medium-sized business owners are being relegated to the bottom of society. Here's a brutal fact: in recent years, small and medium-sized business owners have gradually fallen into the margins of society. As one of them, I have a lot of experience.
Once upon a time, we were considered the backbone of society, the engine of economic growth, and the creator of jobs. Today, however, we are feeling unprecedented pressures and hardships.
I've been running a small manufacturing business for more than a decade. In the beginning, everything was so hopeful and challenging. I am passionate about my work in order to realize my dreams and values. At that time, although it was not easy to make money, I felt extremely proud and satisfied whenever I saw my products recognized by customers.
However, as time went on, I gradually felt the cruelty of reality. First of all, the competitive pressure of the market, with its strong resources and capital advantages, large enterprises continue to compress our living space. We had to struggle with a price war to compete for a limited market share at low prices. We are tired from this kind of competition, and our margins are getting thinner.
Second, there are policy restrictions and discrimination. Some government policies always seem to favor large enterprises, while we, the small and medium-sized enterprises, are often overlooked. For example, tax policy is more favorable to large enterprises, and our contribution to tax revenue is no less than theirs. In addition, the regulations and standards of some industries also put a lot of pressure on us, making us feel like we can't breathe.
Then there is the difficulty of financing. Banks and other financial institutions tend to be more willing to invest their money in large corporations, while we are SMEs who are often seen as riskier. Even if we have the will and ability to expand production and operations, we often fail to do so because of financing difficulties.
These predicaments make us, the small and medium-sized business owners, feel helpless and hopeless. We used to be the elite of society, the pillar of the family, and the leader of the employees. Today, however, we are gradually relegated to the bottom of society. Our status and treatment are not even as good as some ordinary wage earners. We have made too many efforts and sacrifices for the development of the enterprise and the livelihood of our employees, but we often do not get the understanding and respect of the society.
I've heard some people say that small and medium-sized business owners choose this path on their own, so we should bear the consequences ourselves. However, I would like to ask, do we really have a choice? Are we in pursuit of personal wealth and status? Aren't we here to realize our dreams and values? Aren't we here to provide a platform for employees to develop? Shouldn't our efforts and dedication be recognized and rewarded by society?
I hope that through my experience and feelings, I can arouse the attention and understanding of small and medium-sized business owners in society. We are not the bottom of society, we are also contributors to society, and we also have the right to enjoy social fairness and justice. We hope that the society can give us more support and help, so that we can continue to persevere and realize our dreams and values.
Finally, I would like to conclude with a rhetorical question: If we are all at the bottom of society, who will support the economic development of society, who will provide employment opportunities, and who will promote social progress? We look forward to the answer from society.