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Show MINDING TnEIR OWN BUSINESS A sign of postwar prosperity is the sudden revival of that old American urge to be in business for one's self, as reported by business busi-ness brokers throughout the country coun-try who are being swamped by anxious would-be entrepreneurs. With savings, war bonds, and money in their pockets, the nation's na-tion's army workers, jobholders and returning servicemen are busy studying markets and looking to the pent-up demand for goods and services after the war. A survey in the four key cities of New York, Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago, made by The Wall Street Journal, reveals a scramble scram-ble of "entrepreneureal enthusi-asts.'Training enthusi-asts.'Training schools tell of large enrollments; also radio schools, beauty culture and dress design institutions. Cleveland business brokers say they have 200 to 300 on their waiting wait-ing lists for machine, die and tool s shops alone, to say nothing of bowling alleys, delicatessens, groceries, groc-eries, meat markets, drugstores, and garages. One declared that he could sell 500 thirst emporiums in a morning if they were available. Sales of Detroit firms are up 200 to 400 per cent over 1941 figures. Customers come from different walks of life, but all have the same idea to exercise their own knowhow in their own business which has guided America ,since birth. A chemical engineer now selling rubber to war plants wants to go into wholesaling rubber. A refugee, now on war work, who makes music boxes at home, plans to extend his business after the war. Small shop owners are looking for bigger stores nearer Main street. Returning soldiers are asking about the help they'll get in the form of loans under the "G. I. Bill of Rights." Many are studying the possibilities of the South American markets. And the demand is yet to reach its peak. |