Classic Stossel: What’s Great About America--Starting a Business

One of the things that’s great about America is its entrepreneurial spirit. America is a good place to do business.
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More than almost any other nation, America both encourages and rewards creativity, risk-taking, and the entrepreneurial spirit.
In this video, I start my own “Stossel Store."
The business is something of a failure, which is also part of what’s great about America: you can try here and fail and still try again.
A Classic Stossel from 2010.

[@hernantz]

America needs to become more competitive by removing unnecessary regulations that affect innovation and free trade

[@Nemesistyx]

And transparency... No reason we should be using tricks or deception to sell/market products/services.

[@wesleytillman9774]

There's no power in saying yes! Bureaucrats and politicians get their money and power from regulations and won't give them up without a bitter fight.

[@tommanley2924]

@@wesleytillman9774 China Brazil

[@Frank00]

The environment should be sacrificed for the dollar

[@bryanutility9609]

Our Atop soil being depleted while big Agro pollutes our air & water to sell soy to China. 👏👏👏👏

[@snappertrx]

"Whatever happened to, ‘Hey I have some apples, would you like to buy them?’ ‘Yes. Thank you’. That’s as complicated as it should be to open a business in this country.”

[@VernonChitlen]

Same with income tax code, simplify. There is no need for them to be so complicated. Make it so a working family of 4 taxes are taken to 4 different tax preparers and results are within 2% of same.

[@gigianzo6458]

You gotta send 10% for the big guy if you want to do anything in America...

[@jakegarrett8109]

@RustyBoysGaming This product is Apple certified, make sure to get your repaired apple at only certified partners.

[@foxboi6309]

"Are they organic?" - Vegans

[@RobertF-]

@RustyBoysGaming @@jakegarrett8109 Lol... Someone wants to sell apples? Well they have to get an official apple sales license, and sign legal agreements with the Apple® company first so they don't get sued for using the word apple. Coming to a future near you...

[@MB-dw8xv]

"I'm an American, I can try again." Made me smile a bit. Good video

[@actownsend7288]

Me too plus I lived in Delaware for 20 years.

[@AeroGuy07]

My wife is Danish and we lived in Denmark from 05 to 07. When we decided to move there I figured I'd just buy a van and be a courier in Denmark, like I was in the US. That turned out to be an almost impossible task. It cost me $2500 just to get my Danish drivers license. The used van cost 3 times what I expected. Insurance was double what I paid in the US. It was doable, but the upfront cost was way too much. I came back to Ohio, bought into a small courier company, built it up and sold my share in the company 12 years later for enough to retire on. I hope.

[@honeysauce5244]

Ugg i hate those imposter bots

[@AeroGuy07]

@@honeysauce5244 yep, me too. Report, mute, hide notification. But there's always more.

[@honeysauce5244]

@@AeroGuy07 eh it's fine as it's pretty easy to tell it's a scam. I feel bad for the idiots though.

[@AeroGuy07]

@@honeysauce5244 to me the scam is so obvious, but a lot of people fall for it. I remember my first Nigerian prince scam email like 20 years ago and people still for it, or ones like it.

[@honeysauce5244]

@@AeroGuy07 yes it's sad. I'm lucky as i haven't been scammed before and i hope that won't happen

[@johnnyroycerichardsoniii3273]

I’m proud as heck to be a small business owner in America. In The United States of America when you achieve the success nobody even remembers your failures but you yourself treasure them as little badges of courage!

[@harlleygurrola8394]

As Nick Adams said, 'ONLY in America, Do you get the opportunity to FAIL'

[@jeremywheeler8417]

One thing that is horrible about America, is that so many of our politicians are owned by big business. Big business seems to support laws that make it hard to create new businesses because they hate competition.

[@zeehero7280]

Actually quite often its the other way around. Big business owned by politics and government, so they get preferential treatment.

[@sidwhiting665]

@@zeehero7280 I've observed it going both ways... politicians own the businesses, and the businesses lobby for their (and their buddies') business interests. Aka, a political-business circle jerk. That's why some of the best businesses are smaller businesses that don't have the power to lobby for preferential treatment and whose owners are concentrated on running their businesses instead of writing law to enshrine themselves.

[@Archedgar]

It's true that in the U.S. politicians are corrupt & tyrannical. That is the real problem.

[@BobDingleful]

Great video as usual. I strongly agree with how America is presented here. I studied in the US and wish I stayed knowing I could have done better there overall by the time I retired. It is so clear to me that the USA has a great culture for entrepreneurism and doesn't stigmatize failure (which is very prevalent where I live). This is something the USA bashers don't understand.

[@baigandinel7956]

"Dr. Suess' first book was rejected by twenty-five publishers." The more things change...

[@hlynnkeith9334]

Frank Herbert's Dune was rejected 88 times by publishers. A friend suggested he submit it to a company not known for sic-fi: Chilton. You know 'em. They printed books to show you how to change the spark plugs on your Corvette. Chilton said, "What the hell!" and took a flyer on Dune. Last I knew, Dune had sold more copies than any other sci-fi novel.

[@SF-lf5cu]

legit one of my favorite people bar none

[@johnd5740]

I used to repair iphone 3g/3gs screens to help me pay for college. Back then screens were cheap, $10 on Amazon, and I charged people $50. All word of month, and I met them wherever. Eventually I got an in with bartenders/gentlemans clubs and business boomed. I got my engineering degree now, a nice job, but I do miss the hustle of doing my own thing sometimes honestly.

[@Shermanbay]

W. Cleon Skousen said it best. The four free enterprise freedoms are: Freedom to buy, freedom to sell, freedom to try, and freedom to fail.

[@BrianBellia]

As an Australian, I love dealing with US businesses - no matter how small - because customer service is usually excellent.

[@jeffpiatt3879]

If you look at the American cities with the highest homeless populations you will find that those are the most difficult places to get permits for, zoning for, and construction work done. They are large cities with lots of complex regs.

[@shellyscholz1256]

Why are we charged sales tax on books, water and United States flags? I worked at Woolworths years ago. A nun came in to buy an American flag and it was listed as taxable. This nun told us to check the law. She waited almost two hours until we found out that she was right.

[@terrypaulson7838]

Ron from Parks and Rec had a great point thru out the show, there is way to much government.

[@TheRisky9]

I was on my book writing forum and there were these people saying how we needed socialism because it wasn't fair that they barely made rent while trying to sell their novels. I realized that why they wanted socialism was because they were all looking at the first half of the mantra: "To each according to his needs" but failed to see the second half which was "from each according to his ability." In that case, the absolute worst thing you could implement is socialism because if you fail in your writing, you don't get a second chance. Writing is obviously not in your ability. As for me, I have a stable job and do writing on the side. I don't have to worry about failure. If I publish my first book and it goes under, I can try again. Because I have the capital and the stability to do so.

[@hlynnkeith9334]

Socialism was tried in America in the 17th century in Virginia and Massachusetts (Plymouth colony). In both cases, the result was the same: the people starved. I mean they died of starvation. In both cases, the governors divided the land into plots and assigned plots to families. In both cases, the result was the same. The people prospered. Socialism works fine for angels, but men are not angels.

[@noradennis4361]

I'm an artist and would like to sell my illustrations as a coloring book for children. I just need the nerve to get it published. 😏

[@Tyshkevich]

You can be wrong 100 times, but it only takes being right once to be successful. Good things come to those who don't give up.

[@shayd1984triton]

This makes feel lucky to be born in the USA, but this ability to easily open up a business shouldn't be limited to one country.

[@gurunext]

The best thing about America is John stossel and that's why he's in YT Rewind 2022 wow 👍

[@hmbdata]

I have lived in the U.S. for 22 years (nearly). An I am always put in an optimistic mood by friends whose personal business is doing well, or who has an idea for a new business. Never heard such ideas when I lived in Australia or New Zealand.

[@TheHamburgler123]

It's really wonderful that the barriers to entry can be so low. I'm a tradesman that started a sole proprietorship last year. All that was required was a $20 trade name filing with the state. Immediately in business!

[@mitchellhomestead8905]

Never underestimate a politicians ability to make life harder for the common man everyday. Especially when their not subject to their own policies.

[@westrnite]

Thanks John ,we Americans appreciate your take on life.

[@Kevin-McLaughlin]

This take is from 2010 but yeah

[@patty9274]

God bless you John 🙏 Thank you for your positive vibes.

[@MatthewMayernik]

Ironically, I just submitted my forms to start a company today! Great video like always Stossel!

[@noradennis4361]

Good luck!

[@leobrent7926]

Dont you worry, John. One of this days you’ll do good 😂 might not be today or tomorrow but I’m sure you’ll succeed hehe

[@TommyT777]

So America is the land of never giving up and always growing. That is truly a great way to live in my opinion.

[@465maltbie]

As a small business owner I feel your pain...pretty easy to start up here in Georgia. But it varies from city to city but still pretty easy. Charles

[@MichielVanKets]

here in thailand you can still put a table in front of your house and sell stuff without any problem result; thailand has the second lowest unemployment rate AND inflation rate in the world, right after switzerland

[@johnree6106]

You still do it in America as it is your property they are called yard sales. It does vary state to state but in general as long as it is your property you can sell it

[@MichielVanKets]

@@johnree6106 you're not lying to me, you're lying to yourself !!

[@johnree6106]

@@MichielVanKets Nope you can still do it here where I live. Now opening up a business on the property is different as business license and other forms do need to be filled out. But if you are selling stuff by just putting out a table as a yard sale then nothing is needed. One is permanent the other is temporary is the only difference.

[@ThailandTerry2024]

Excellent points John, great video …

[@waitemc]

As a very small business owner it's nuts how much tax they keep digging up year after year. Heck the local tax even hit me up for how much parking lot to grass ratio we got thanks to satellite imagery. It never ends

[@noradennis4361]

Do you live in California?

[@waitemc]

@@noradennis4361 nope KY

[@noradennis4361]

@@waitemc Duh. 😏. I should have figured that by your name. It just seemed like something that would happen in California.

[@tommyemler1763]

In my small TN county..... The county charges you a tax on all the equipment and tools you own for your business yearly....

[@noradennis4361]

@@tommyemler1763 That doesn't seem right. It's YOUR tools and your equipment why pay tax on them again?

[@RSpracticalshooting]

Thanks for providing positive outlooks on our country, seems that's few and fR between these days.

[@theondono]

It took me a month only to register to be able to work *as a freelancer* in Spain. A privilege I need to pay 300$ a month for it. You have a great thing, don’t let it die.

[@j.v.1973]

Because God has blessed America for its Biblical values. Now however as God is taken out of the picture so does the blessings of God.

[@DiBaozi]

I have so many business ideas. I have one business I started several years ago and put a pause on when I moved. I have one I’m working on and a few dream projects I’m writing up. Saving for the $$ to start them. But I’m discouraged by so many American businesses closing and others not being supported or being attacked by unnecessary government regulations and policies.

[@tommanley2924]

Get GOVERNMENTS off the backs of humans & we can do GREAT THINGS.

[@CrashLarue]

Content is top notch. Thank you for your inquisitions and reporting.

[@postandghost3727]

Freedom!

[@AdrianDeer]

Go America! And keep your guns! :) Greetings from Europe.

[@handimanjay6642]

Americans are over regulated. Our government entities have their hands in everything and charge fees for no reason for permits and licenses then enforce tax collects by the vendors. A prime example is California. Almost every occupation that requires any level of skills is tested and licensed by the state. Tradesmen, teachers, and medical personnel, for example, have to pass a state test to work in the state regardless of their level of education and training. A California state certification is accepted for work in all other states but the same is not acceptable in California from any other state.

[@DennistheMenace2011]

One exception I can think of. No license or permit required if you write and sell your own software. Even if the software is lousy. Just have to pay taxes on your income.

[@snappertrx]

Anthony and Billy Mays old show, Pitchmen, was great TV and a testament to both the American spirit of innovation, but also the power of America as a country that allowed innovation! Watch the episodes here on KZbin, you will enjoy it!

[@shirlebryant9427]

Excellent

[@KommKarl]

Stossel is great

[@caster863]

America and the world should despise more on politicians than entrepreneurs.

[@peterbrunsgaard2012]

Thanks John! 👏👏🙏🙏

[@noahellis3672]

I completely agree that America has a great entrepreneurial spirit that has helped this country become the leader in the development of new technologies and things that we take for granted each day. But as was brought out in the video too much regulations and restrictions, high fees and taxes are becoming a burden to those who are manifesting that spirit and driving businesses and development away from those states that need it to thrive.

[@br7795]

Love you John

[@MrBurns.]

Fair to say that the biggest hindering of business are bureaucrats enforcing laws that are unnecessary, and that only benefits them.

[@lauriviik]

Took me whole 20 minutes to start a company in Estonia (europe) including reading instructions sitting in my sofa and dont need any licence to do business. And you are talking about simple process😃

[@RobertMartinezist]

Thank you John

[@aaa7189]

First, Thank You

[@Marijanus]

YOU are FIRST! Good job, King 👑

[@aaa7189]

@@Marijanus I got on the video 5 seconds after it came up...Hamburg, NY

[@RadioHamGuy]

Thanks again John, excellent video. I am tuned in and watching. Right to the point as always.

[@roadwarrior114]

I've been getting into fixing and selling lawn mowers, I haven't sold any yet of the four I've got for sale, but the only difficult thing I've had to deal with is just making sure I don't have too many at one time so no one complains to the city.

[@matthewconner463]

God bless 🇺🇸🎩

[@jimanders6666]

Thanks, John !!

[@chriscampanozzi6516]

Great information as always. Thank you.

[@CommentFrom]

I need to know johns secret to almost never aging yet seemingly looking better?

[@lisaroper421]

At least for this movie, I think it's because it was filmed a good while ago and is just being re-released! 😂 But the man has a definite gift for being ageless, it's true!

[@noradennis4361]

@@lisaroper421 Like Dick Clark (remember him?), Stossel never seems to age.

[@lisaroper421]

@@noradennis4361 Ha! It's true!

[@brandonmcdonald8356]

My hero

[@jacobvalintine7296]

another great show!

[@glennsampson5945]

Thank you for posting that. It was refreshing.

[@DefendersOfWomen]

If I had a nickel for every time I failed I'd still be in the red. I just can't win.

[@larryjohn5052]

Great show John.. Thx

[@lv4077]

It kind of makes you believe that it’s possible that the large corporations want to keep out competitors and with their political connections they’re able to legally do that. No that could never be the case.!! we just need more of those wise bureaucrats with all of their expertise and experience in business to tell us how this all is supposed to work.😊

[@mauhi7721]

Mr. Stossel thank you very much for posting this great video . I really appreciated it !

[@EndoftheBlock7224]

Thanks, I needed this.

[@alejandrocota5949]

Yup just keep trying!

[@mythrainbow]

Really enjoying these classics, I remember very few since as a teenager and my early twenties I was willfully ignorant believing that I had no need to learn about current events, politics, and other report worthy topics. I just thought nothing pertained to me directly, but watching these now is revealing how little I knew or understood about my own life.

[@tomphan7607]

This is why polling shows that fewer people trust the legacy media. Journalists used to simply report. Now they try to sway because they feel it's their duty to make a better society by being an activist. So they do not hesitate to tell everyone what to do, what to say, what to think.

[@crewcrewdin6891]

Thank you keep sharing and reporting stay strong

[@CarbageMan]

Who'd have thought freedom is what makes America great?

[@tmpsg]

My first Studio Gallery lasted 5 years. Then my Sign & Graphics business lasted 20 years. After that I opened another Studio Gallery only to realize a little later that it's much cheaper and easier to sell online exclusively.

[@THall-vi8cp]

This video reminds me of Arnold Schwarzenegger's rules for success. One of them is, "Don't be afraid to fail." Keep trying. If you fall, get back up. You only truly fail when you give up. If anyone embodies the American dream, it's an Austrian immigrant who arrived with nothing, worked his ass off at a regular job, body building, and going to school, and who became Mr. Olympia seven times, one of the biggest names in Hollywood, and then the governor of California. Why did he succeed? Because he wasn't afraid to fail.

[@jmooch59]

YES!

[@brightpage1020]

Compound interest.

[@065Tim]

They will make it harder and harder. Entrepreneurs are a threat to the establishment. That's why governments all over the world prioritize their bureaucracy over their plans to improve anything. You'd be amazed how countries like Somalia have nothing in order but their bureaucracy.

[@lancemcque1459]

I'm from another country. My parents came to America to start a new life. I'm only going back to visit.

[@AinsleyHarriott1]

The wealth of nations; it’s people

[@roginutah]

Opportunity is the solution to inflation, poverty, 'climate', just about everything.

[@darthdaddy6983]

2:20 “He who is last shall be first” Dinesh

[@ellenorbovay5226]

In California, you would be lucky if they let you stay open. Their goal is to shut as many businesses down as possible.

[@jorgefierro8241]

Wish to make my own business, hope the best for everyone.

[@CB-fn3me]

It's not difficult to start a business in all of Europe. In Sweden it's very easy. Taxes are high but there's not a lot of bureaucracy involved. For most types of businesses you don't need any special permit from the government.

[@MichielVanKets]

maybe it's true for sweden, but in belgium they totally destroyed all small businesses; they're hardly any left

[@CB-fn3me]

@@MichielVanKets I'm sad to hear that.

[@MichielVanKets]

​@@CB-fn3me that's why nobody wants to talk about it, while believing the fascist lies from government does makes them feel good and that's why most europeans are such hardcore fascists; they have no control over their own emotions whatsoever

[@awsome7201]

love it

[@redseagaming7832]

Always start your business in the countryside. It's cheaper there the city doesn't bother you much

[@HelenStewart-WeeWitch]

Petro dollar. Try setting up your stand on that basis of how oil is sold using the petro dollar and show us what happens. Convince the shop owners, their customers have to possess your book to shop in their store.

[@yourstruly9472]

I was just thinking the same thing earlier, can't any country emanse wealth and prosperity for its people, why is America looked at as the truly promise land, you must have read my mind 🤔✌️

[@MrBodeci]

i got my license in Tucson AZ in about 15 mins walked in they gave me the form i needed then walked it back up handed them 10-15 bucks dont recall exact amount. and walked out with my license

[@ajmomoho]

5:13 Shaq the cop

[@Thesupperals]

There needs to be plenty of opportunity and advancements for small guys. I'd love to see more help to endorse.

[@jimwall2291]

I gotta wonder what new york and california will look like in 20 years after businesses keep moving out. Who would want to open a new business there?

[@jamesmcd71]

If your willing to work hard you can become very successful in America. Back in 2002 I was a 27 year old police officer. We would 15 days in a row 12 hours a day. Then we're off for 15 days. This drove me crazy having 15 days off , unlike most I didn't want to work security at some company. So I started cutting grass on my days off. In 2 years I was making more money on my off days. Then I had a conversation with the wife because I wanted to put all my time into my own Business. 3 years after that I had my 1st million in revenue. Today I have 28 employees we are the #1 service in my state. I have never run a advertisement for customers or employees. I have a list of both who want my services and to work for me. I have other companies approach my customers all the time offering a 50 to 60% less to do there property. The few that do fall for the cheaper price end up getting back on the list.

[@voluntarism335]

*you're not your I wouldn't do business with you, due to your terrible grammar.

[@CameraMystique]

That was made possible because of high disposable income (due to cheap energy and food). It's changing now.

[@joeyGalileoHotto]

If America still encouraged this type of entrepreneurship and even encouraged children to fail and try again, we'd be in significantly better shape as a country. Unfortunately, as the days pass, it's becoming more bureaucratic and now instead of "how can I help everyone" its now more like "how can everyone help me".

[@indianastones9884]

failing in Europe makes you financily crippled. There are so many regulations you just cant start a buisness. Its just scary if you fail.

[@poonpoonsmith399]

I miss the old Hong Kong....

[@superhond1733]

This is also why the netherlands- a country smaller than most german states. Is far more competitive than germany. One of them is a bureacratic hellscape. The other is one of the most free countries on earth

[@patx_game4318]

In Cambodia you can register your company online so that it only takes an hour even so create your business.

[@stivenstivens]

It use to be that way but not anymore.

[@magdalenposada4127]

‘’Courage taught me no matter how bad a crisis gets ... any sound investment will eventually pay off."

[@michaelcollins1220]

Making it out at a young age is quite difficult. I started a side hustle at 17, saved up and made some good investments. l'm 28,live on my own and having a good life for myself. Big ups to you and everyone out there trying

[@kathyfrugalsen3047]

Sounds like plan, how do you put money to work?

[@michaelcollins1220]

@@kathyfrugalsen3047 Yes it sure is. I put in money in investments and get profits. That 's how I make more money without working. This does not sound new to you right ?

[@kathyfrugalsen3047]

@@michaelcollins1220 Thanks for replying me, I've heard so many people talk about investment but none had said how to do it right.

[@twinfred3160]

Am hoping on you can explain more on how you make extra income from investments

[@yaknow5252]

Problem with this is that foriegners are the ones getting loans for businesses. While we are being push out of our land and society levels.