Telluride, Colorado and Moab, Utah: Deep-seated within every American is the dream of starting and owning a business. Most of us are barely aware that this concept is deeply ingrained in our culture. The modern concept of a corporation actually has its roots in the American revolution.* (See the footnote.) This drive to start a business -- to incorporate under a name -- mystifies much of the world and it has a lot to do with one's sense of purpose or "calling" and also one's process of self-actualization.

In today's episode of the show, you meet many very special people, but the stars of our show are Margaret Quenemoen and her sister, Paula. It will become quickly apparent that they are identical twins who share a huge love of life. Their honesty and integrity, their openness and their achievement, their vision and their tenacity, over-qualify them to be our MasterClass teachers.

So, let's drive into the deep mountains of Colorado to look at their foundations, business plan, financing, direct public offering, and so much more.

We'll learn what went right, what went wrong, and what their vision of the future is.

Jagged Edge Mountain Gear began with thirteen head bands, then expanded to outer wear for extreme sports. As you will see, these two are extreme athletes.

They are also commited to being "green" so you'll find their line of fleece garments are sewn from fabric woven from fibers made from plastic soda bottles.

They naturally embraced their Chinese suppliers and their Taoist philosophies, so they are quickly open to be constantly learning and embracing new ideas. Learn how these women continue to build a business around the sports they love.

• "Everybody has an idea for a business."
• Building a team is one thing; adopting employees as family is another.
• Build your business by selling the mission first, the product second.
• A well-written business plan helps recruit great people and attract money.
• You have to pay attention to all the details of business even before you start. For example, clear your name before you invest in it.
• Global business can be exciting and profitable.
• Being "green" can be expensive. Be careful.
• You really, really, really got to love it.

FOR FURTHER STUDY:

• CASE STUDY GUIDES: Prepared for the PBS Adult Learning Satellite System and their Business Channel, these case studies studies have been incorporated into many of the best-selling business school textbooks by Thompson Learning. These points are used to stimulate discussions among professors and business students. It is a resource for all small business owners.
• THE TRANSCRIPT. Review all the dialogue within the show. The transcript of this show along with the study guides, this profile/overview and streaming video equals a Master Class.
• REGISTER FOR LEARN ONLINE. This series is used as small business case study material in over 1000 colleges and universities throughout the country. YOU CAN TAKE A COURSE RIGHT HERE online.
• EQUITY: DPO & SCOR (SEC Reg D Rule 504, form U-7); it is a Direct Public Offering (DPO). It is one of the steps on the way to an IPO. Raising money is not easy; and many owners have been reluctant to share equity in the business; read the pluses and the minuses.
• THE NEW MEDIA. Watch or listen to the show again!
• WATCH TV . To find out what is airing in your market, usually on your local PBS-member station, click here.
• ON MONEY. If you haven't already done it, consolidate then pay off all your credit card debt.
• GET YOUR OWN. Too many of us judge ourselves as a failure even before we begin, so we never even attempt to climb that cold, unknown mountain. Too many of us judge ourselves a failure if we are not on the summit. Learn another way.
  
  You can watch this show anytime if you have your own VHS copy.
  
  You can order it online because this show is part of LEARN ONLINE, one of the ten classes about starting a business. When you go to that page, notice that one of the pictures from this page is one of the ten pictures displayed. Cursor over the picture (or if you on Netscape, scroll down) and at the bottom of that description you will see: Make sure that you are logged in -- if not, Sign Up -- then click on BUY THE TAPE. You'll be prompted from there. So, to order online, click here. Please share this show with your colleagues and business friends.
  
  To order several tapes or to get this entire series as a subscription, send e-mail; click here.
• EXPORT TO THE WORLD. Follow Margaret and Paula's lead and that of so many small business owners. Become part of our Business Exporters / Selling Trade (BEST businesses).
  • Click here to check the SBA's resources, particularly the guidelines from their Office of International Trade.
  • Click here to go to http://www.export.gov/, The Export Portal of the US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration.
  • Click here to get some "hands-on" help from the U.S. Commercial Service (their website, USATrade.gov and BuyUSA.com).
  
  Together we can change the balance of trade!

You are not a failure for trying, for getting on your path and climbing. This is life. Paula and Margaret so bring it alive. Their's is a total engagement with life.

We hold dear the encouraging words of Paula and Margaret's spiritual mentor, " A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."

It is in your blood. It is in your soul. What are you waiting for?

COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS. We invite your comments and questions. Was the show inspirational and/or educational? We hope this show is both!

* The historian, Oscar Handlin (a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and Carl M. Loeb University Professor, Emeritus, Harvard University) writes the 10-page Chapter 1: "The Development of the Corporation" for the book The Corporation: A Theological Inquiry, edited by Michael Novak and John W. Cooper.

We learn that in 1636 the colonists issued their own charter to start Harvard University. The King of England was the only person who had a right to grant a charter in the new colonies. The king was so angered, he revoked the Massachusetts colony's charter and made it impossible for the colonists to form legal corporations thereafter. By 1775 the need for corporations had been so pent up, without question, it was part of the "shot that was heard around the world."

In Handlin's words, the story becomes quite remarkable:

"In 1800 the United States was only beginning its history as an independent nation. It was an underdeveloped country, primarily agricultural, with a population of perhaps 4 or 5 million along the Altantic coast. Already, however, the United States had more coporations, and more explciitly business corporations, than all of Europe put together ... ." (our emphasis)

American's start any where from 250K to 3M businesses every year. It is strictly an American phenomena.