The 1970s was the decade that set the rules most businesses still play by. Five forces did the work: new technology (the personal computer, the fax machine), globalization (companies going multinational), deregulation (airlines in 1978, then telecom and energy), shifting consumer tastes (quality and wellness), and a boom in entrepreneurship (Microsoft, Apple, and FedEx were all founded in the 1970s). The lesson for Jackson MI businesses in 2026: each of those forces has a modern version, and the companies that spot it early win.
1. Adopt new technology before you feel ready
In the 1970s, the personal computer arrived, along with the fax machine and the electronic typewriter. Businesses that automated early — bookkeeping, communications, order processing — pulled ahead of competitors still doing everything by hand. The 2026 version of this is obvious: AI-assisted workflows, modern point-of-sale systems, online booking and payments. A Jackson MI service business that still takes bookings by voicemail in 2026 is in the same position as a 1975 company that wouldn’t buy a fax machine. Early adoption is uncomfortable; late adoption is expensive.
2. Think beyond your own backyard
The 1970s marked the beginning of modern globalization. Better transportation and communication made it practical to do business across borders, and multinational corporations learned to leverage their global footprint. For a Jackson MI small business, “globalization” today means something simpler: your supply chain, your suppliers, and your competitors are not just local. Buy smart nationally while selling with a local identity that chains can’t copy.
3. Competition makes everyone better — prepare for it
When the airline industry was deregulated in 1978, competition exploded and fares fell. The same pattern followed in telecommunications and energy. Regulated, comfortable industries were forced to actually compete — and consumers won. Jackson MI businesses rarely enjoy regulatory moats, which is a feature, not a bug: it means local companies already compete on the things that matter — price, quality, service, reputation. Never build your strategy around a comfortable niche staying comfortable.
4. Consumers always trade up — sell to where they’re going
The 1970s consumer started demanding higher quality and better service, and companies that delivered grew fast. The health and fitness industry rose in this era, built entirely on people wanting something better. In Jackson in 2026, the same upgrade cycle runs on local reviews and word of mouth. A business with a 4.8-star rating and real responses to complaints beats a cheaper competitor with a 3.2 and silence.
5. Fund the bold moves
The 1970s saw venture capital and other funding sources unlock a wave of entrepreneurship. Microsoft (1975), Apple (1976), and FedEx (1973) all date to this decade. Capital found risk-takers, and risk-takers built the modern economy. Jackson MI founders don’t need Sand Hill Road — revenue-based funding, local bank relationships, SBA loans, and reinvested profits all do the job. The principle holds: the businesses that grow are the ones that find capital for the move that matters.
FAQ
What were the main drivers of business growth in the 1970s?
Technology (personal computers, fax machines), globalization, deregulation (notably airlines in 1978), changing consumer preferences toward quality, and a surge in entrepreneurship backed by venture capital.
Why does the 1970s matter to a Jackson MI business today?
The same five forces operate in modern form — AI and automation, national supply chains, open competition, review-driven consumers, and accessible growth capital.
Which 1970s companies are still giants today?
Microsoft (founded 1975), Apple (1976), and FedEx (1973) all began in the 1970s, showing how founding during a period of change can compound for decades.
What is the single biggest 1970s lesson for small business owners?
Adopt new technology early and serve the customer’s next expectation, not the current one.
Source: Expanded from “How Businesses Accelerated In The 1970’s” — https://www.graylandcommerce.click/how-businesses-accelerated-in-the-1970s
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