Of late, there’s been lots of talk about the relative wisdom of starting or running a small business in the down economy. Paul Graham of Y Combinator wrote an interesting piece, and even the WSJ and US News & World Report have felt compelled to chime in. They all make strong cases for the current ‘econaclypse’ being a truly harrowing but potentially positive—even lucrative—experience for those who dare to venture forth.

And I’m with ‘em. (Lord knows I’m with ‘em.) I firmly believe that out of this market mayhem we’ll see some extraordinary success stories, both in technology—where software for widgets and Web apps will lead the way—and, perhaps surprisingly, in professional services, where the wheat will be separated from the chaff, the cream will rise to the top and other metaphors for quality winning out over crap will be manifest.

a rallying cry to pick up our heads and look past the immediate economic mess to see all the greatness that’s out there just waiting to be tapped into.

But here’s the thing: Those folks who are brave/foolish enough to believe they can make it can’t do so alone. They need help. They need the support of friends and colleagues. They need business. And as they grow, so too will their networks…and their industries…and the markets they serve…and, lo and behold, our economy.

So consider this a call to arms; a rallying cry to pick up our heads and look past the immediate economic mess to see all the greatness that’s out there just waiting to be tapped into. Then, well, tap into it. Work with it. Nurture it. Become a partner in its growth.

‘Cause when it succeeds—and it will succeed—you’ll not only know the satisfaction of having played a part; you’ll be among the first to benefit from a new, revitalized marketplace.