Here It Is: The Entrepreneurial Spirit

To be successful as a freelancer—or as an entrepreneur of any kind—you have to stand out from the pack. It takes ingenuity, creativity, dedication, and perseverance to turn the run-of-the-mill into a stand-out-in-a-crowd business.

Over the years, businesses along the “Mother Road,” also known as the old Route 66, have learned about flourishing in the good times and persevering through the bad.

Pops
Arcadia, Oklahoma

Whether they call it pop or soda or “coke,” the 66-foot-tall neon bottle makes Route 66 travelers call time out for a pit stop just northeast of Oklahoma City. Technically, Pops is a gas station with a restaurant in it. But there’s nothing ordinary about this place, from the futuristic gas pumps to the 500+ flavors of pop—including 60 varieties of root beer alone—displayed by the thousands on glass shelves. This place catches the traveler’s eye and turns a routine into a fun experience. In order to have a successful freelance career, you want to put 60 different skills on display in an eye-catching way to wow a variety of clients.
Cadillac Ranch
Amarillo, Texas

Ever since Texas millionaire Stanley Marsh 3 created this public art installation in the 1970s, travelers from all over the world have been stopping to spray a little paint on these decrepit old Caddies. And when development began competing for the land they were on, he just moved the cars to a better location. Now they’re right off the Interstate, perfect for an impromptu graffiti stop. You might have to change your approach, your thinking, and sometimes your location to catch the attention of potential onlookers, or clients.
Yellowhorse Trading Post
Lupton, Arizona, at the New Mexico State Line

Trading posts are advertised at many exits along this stretch of I-40. Frank Yellowhorse, a Navajo, made a name for himself many years ago with his interesting signage and his genuine passion for making sure vacationers enjoyed their stop. Yellowhorse was friendly, always put the customer first, and made sure their experience was good enough to make them come back again and again.

Frontier Motel and Restaurant
Truxton, Arizona

This mural, advertising the cafe at the Frontier Motel, is often photographed, but the town itself is one of the veritable ghost towns along the stretch of Route 66 that was bypassed by the construction of the Interstate (as depicted in the Disney/Pixar film Cars.) Be prepared to weather the tough times, and you might have to restore your sign along the way.

Jack Rabbit Trading Post
Joseph City, Arizona

After Jim Taylor started this place in 1949, he needed to differentiate himself from the other trading posts along the route. His trademark signs, featuring that alluring, iconic jackrabbit, were placed all the way to Missouri. Back then travelers spent days and days on that road, seeing those signs all along the way, without necessarily knowing what it even was. When they reached the sign that said “Here It Is,” guess what—they stopped to find out! Selling yourself, or your brand, is about generating buzz and making potential customers curious about exactly what it is you have to offer.
Snow Cap Drive-In
Seligman, Arizona

Juan Delgadillo’s sense of humor and crazy antics made his place famous worldwide. People from all over the world have traveled thousands of miles to open this door (which knob?) and get squirted with fake mustard before diving into a basket of fries or an ice cream cone. His son carries on the tradition today, and he’s good in his own right at making you feel like part of something special. Regardless of whether it’s about making hamburgers or serving ice cream—or providing a freelance service—the Delgadillos have understood for years that it’s the element of surprise, the unexpected touch of going well above and beyond, that makes a experience legendary.

All of these photographs were taken recently, and these businesses truly have stood the test of time—even after the Interstate system passed them by. To me, it’s a good metaphor for today’s times. Freelancers and entrepreneurs today definitely will need to stay on their toes to keep the Information Superhighway from passing them by.

What are your ideas for making sure the Information Superhighway doesn’t bypass you?

Photo credits: Shelley DeLuca