Bailey helps small businesses to manage government relations issues through SBA

Wendell Bailey, a former legislator and Missouri State Treasurer who now works as an advocate for small businesses, illustrates the notion that a new perspective often changes the opinions people hold -- even about things they may have once thought of as useless or unappealing -- the same way many feel about the white crayon he's holding. Bailey's colorful presentation was offered to members of the Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce during a luncheon on Friday, at Count On Us Catering in Nevada.

By Lynn A. Wade

Wendell Bailey, former legislator and Missouri State Treasurer, has been appointed Regional Advocate for the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy in 2003. He wants Nevadans to know he's there as a resource for small businesses that need help in navigating the state or federal regulatory waters.

In a presentation to Nevada/Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce members Friday afternoon, Bailey said, "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you," a self-introduction he said was sincere although offered in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

Using the oh-so-unpopular white crayon for illustration, Bailey pointed out that creative, unconventional thinking can sometimes be the key to salvaging something perceived as unworthy -- a concept, a business, even 'outsourced' jobs. Many people, he pointed out, think of the white crayon as "worthless," because people think of the crayon as an instrument that applies a white color to already white paper.

But on paper of another color, the white crayon suddenly takes on new meaning.

Bailey said,"I had a friend, Etcyl Dee Smith, who said, 'People think other people think like they think.'"

But sometimes, that's just not true, Bailey added.

So, in his position as regional advocate, he works with legislators to "get rid of cumbersome regulations that are getting in the way of businesses, especially small businesses."

Bailey said he believes the primary cause of widespread trends in the business community -- like global outsourcing -- is a cumbersome regulations relating to businesses at the state and local level.

For example, Bailey said, a college ran into difficulty in razing two homes to build a dormitory, because one of the homes had kitchen linoleum that contained asbestos.

An "asbestos abatement contractor" had to be hired to do the work, at substantial expense.

But more commonly, the cost of meeting federal regulations alone in day-to-day commercial activities costs small businesses $6,975 per employee, per year.

Bailey said he's a strong advocate of paperwork deduction, and wants to help businesses succeed in any way he can.

Business owners can contact Bailey at the U.S. Small Business Administration's Kansas City Regional Office, 323 W. Eighth Street, Suite 307, Kansas City, MO 64105; by telephone at (816) 374-6380, or by e-mail at wendell.bailey@sba.gov.