By John L. Duoba, Toolkit Publisher

Owning your own small business can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, personally and financially. But make no mistake: It is hard work and it can be lonely at the top. Being the boss means you have to wear a lot of different hats and make all the decisions. That's why networking with other entrepreneurs is so important. You need to get out of your bubble, so you can talk with and learn from others.

And if you are just thinking about starting a business, it's even more important to get out there and interact with others who have "been there and done that." Your future success may depend upon it.

From November 16-22, 2009, you will get your chance, as a business owner or aspiring entrepreneur, to network and participate on a global level. That week marks Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009, as more than 75 countries around the world stage events to promote innovation in the private sector. Last year's inaugural GEW saw some 3 million participants take part in 25,000 different activities supporting entrepreneurship. This year, in the United States, numerous events will be held across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

"The response has been tremendous--almost all of the local business incubators are involved, providing entrepreneurship resources, and about 80 percent of the events are being held at educational institutions," said Joseph Venuto, head of the Michigan state activities (migew.com). "People will really benefit from these events, and have a good time as well. For example, we've got a small business simulator competition at Eastern Michigan University, where entrepreneurs can create virtual small businesses and compete in a 64-team bracket for prize money. And our Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour will stop in five cities in five days, with motivational speakers and resources available to those who attend."

The recent economic recession has been particularly hard on Venuto's home state of Michigan, with the highest statewide unemployment rate in the country at 15.3 percent. With jobs disappearing and little hope in the short term, Michigan's residents could benefit from a boost in entrepreneurship. Venuto's team has events scheduled in all 83 counties at various locations throughout the state, with some 2,000 people expected to attend.

"We get calls and emails coming in everyday from people wanting to know more about GEW, because it is so new," said Venuto. "We're up to 80 registered partners holding more than 30 of the events. And we couldn't pull it off without the support of our sponsors: Michigan Economic Development Corporation with the help of Intuit, Fathead, Mobile Consulting, New Era, College Pro Painter and Caribou Coffee."

Traditionally, small businesses have supplied about 75 percent of all job growth when the U.S. economy emerges from a recession. Unfortunately, that traditional job growth has yet to materialize in the small business sector this time around. Organizers hope the success of networking and educational events held during Global Entrepreneurship Week can help spur economic growth and increase employment among the nation's small businesses.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is the vision of the Kauffman Foundation, the world's leading foundation for entrepreneurship based in the U.S., and Make Your Mark, the UK's campaign to give young people the confidence, skills and ambition to make their ideas happen. After a successful first year in 2008, organizers are looking to expand their efforts, especially in response to the global economic downturn of 2009. Their stated goals for the week include:

• Inspire--We introduce entrepreneurship to young people under the age of 30 who otherwise might not have considered it as a career path.
• Connect--We network young people and organizations across national boundaries to discover new ideas at the intersection of cultures and disciplines.
• Mentor--We enlist active and inspiring entrepreneurs around the world to coach and mentor the next generation of enterprise talent as they pursue their dreams.
• Engage--We demonstrate to opinion leaders and policymakers how entrepreneurship is central to a nation's economic health and culture, and give them the opportunity to learn about each other's entrepreneurial policies and practices.

"Students, educators, entrepreneurs, business leaders, employees, non-profit leaders, government officials and many others will participate in a range of activities, from online to face-to-face, and from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings," according to a release from GEW's worldwide organizers.

In the United States, events are being organized mostly on the state level. Some of the featured events can be found here. More information can be found at www.unleashingideas.org. An online search of "Global Entrepreneurship Week" and your home state will reveal the event options near you. For example, Michigan is marketing its events through the www.migew.com web site.

"If you are looking to start your own business, then join our movement," said Venuto.

So get out and participate in your local GEW events, whether you are there to learn or there to help, or both. An entire world of opportunity awaits.

Business Owner' Toolkit is supporting this initiative and providing information resources to attendees at numerous locations.