National Clothesline

The average drycleaning plant has fewer than ten employees, which classifies most cleaners under the heading of “small business.” However, the term “small” seems like an inappropriate way to describe a segment of the business world that is directly responsible for a huge impact on the American economy.

After all, more than 98 percent of new business created in the U.S., as well as 40 percent of the

Gross National Product, are produced by small businesses, according to statistics released by the National Federation of Independent Business, an organization that seeks to pool the resources of small businessmen everywhere by uniting them together.

Now the International Fabricare Institute will tap into that pool of resources by forming a partnership with NFIB.

“Our partnership with NFIB further solidifies IFI’s position as the association that offers drycleaners the best combination of services and government advocacy,” IFI CEO Bill Fisher said in a press release.

“NFIB has proven that there is strength in numbers,” he added. “The more cleaners that take advantage of this unique opportunity, the better we will be able to serve the industry as a whole.”

IFI members now have the option to join the largest small business lobbying organization in the U.S. for a rate of $50 per year. The fee is significantly reduced from the average cost for a yearly membership to NFIB.

Jon Meijer, IFI’s vice president of membership, noted that the reduced fee is “too good to pass up” for IFI cleaners. “As a member of IFI and NFIB, drycleaners will receive real savings on opportunities and benefits to help keep their businesses growing,” Meijer said. “Those drycleaners who are already NFIB members already know what an outstanding organization it is, but by renewing with NFIB through IFI, they will realize a tremendous savings.”

NFIB is also excited by the prospect of the new partnership. Fred Milligan, the organization’s director of association and group markets, added: “This is the perfect strategic alliance between two very prominent organizations. It is definitely a win-win for everyone who chooses to take advantage of this partnership.”

Currently, NFIB represents more than 600,000 small and independent business owners. A majority of that membership, about 72%, owns businesses with less than ten employees.

Yet, despite being comprised of only “small” businessmen, NFIB was cited by Fortune magazine as being the No. 1 business lobbying organization in Washington, D.C., and the third most influential lobbying force among all organizations. Only the NRA (National Rifle Association of America) and AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) have more political persuasion.

Following a recent string of lobbying victories by NFIB, the Washington Post recently echoed this sentiment when it reported that the organization “now enjoys coveted status in Congress and the White House.”

Vice President Dick Cheney, the keynote speaker at NFIB’s National Small Business Summit gala dinner in Washington, DC, on June 13, is also an advocate of the small business advocacy group. “The NFIB represents grassroots advocacy at its finest. For 59 years this organization has brought the common sense of Main Street to the halls of Washington,” he explained to his audience.

NFIB’s origins date back to 1943 when founder Wilson Harder started the organization by himself in a home office. He sold the first memberships to his neighbors. His intention was to give small and independent businesses a say in the process of governmental decision making.

Harder’s vision has grown in scope considerably over the years. Now, NFIB annually polls all of its members in order to determine its public policy on issues that impact small businesses everywhere. The organization lobbies on both state and federal levels, retaining teams of legislative experts in all 50 state capitals, as well as Washington, D.C.

Some of the objectives on NFIB’s agenda for this year are: simplifying and lowering taxes, including a repeal of the death tax and a cut of payroll taxes; easing the burden of excessive regulation and intrusive labor laws, such as minimum-wage increases and the expansion of the Family Medical Leave Act; making health care more accessible so that small businesses can band together to purchase it; curbing frivolous lawsuits; and closing the gap between large and small businesses in the digital divide.

In addition to its lobbying efforts, NFIB also helps its members by negotiating lower business costs for them.

The organization offers its members reduced prices on more than 25 products and services, including items such as shipping, computers, software, business information, financial services and health care.

For more information on the new IFI-NFIB program, contact IFI’s membership department at (800) 638-2627.