It's About the People

My Father owned a business for nearly 20 years.  I would call it a successful business and it allowed him to retire.  He had his difficulty and numerous struggles but he fought through them.  As a kid and as I grew up, he always has stressed, "its about the people you hire and have work for you".  It always made perfect sense to me and I had a first hand view of the many cast of characters he had hired through the years.

Our goal is too truly take this approach to the highest level possible.  It's tough for new businesses to be able to afford the highest quality employees and sometimes you have to do your best with the hand you are dealt.  It is one thing knowing that a business needs to hire "competent people" and comprehending it.  It's in the comprehending it that you truly apply the philosophy.  If you have an employee that keeps dragging behind on projects and is always late or has a attitude problem....etc.  Move on.

It is not the business owners job in my opinion to get emotional about the wrong employee.  An exceptional employee is a different scenario.  Be grateful for those in your organization that truly are fantastic.  Thin your business of the ones that aren't at your first chance.

The strength of your business is the most important.

Be thankful for your family

As a small business owner my own family is very important to my success.  My spouse was 100% behind my idea to start a advertising agency and walk away from my previous job as a advertising consultant in the Yellow Page industry.  Going into business for yourself is the biggest risk/endeavor human beings confront as they try to support themselves and their family financially.  The risk of the unknown is not for everyone and I have been so thankful for the 100% commitment my own spouse has provided me as we have continued to grow our business.

I often work late hours, on weekends and at times have to take business calls during important family scheduled time.  My family always comes first, yet knowing my spouse supports my business allows me to also be able to take care of my customers which is so important to my companies own business plan.

I also realize that some folks aren't as fortunate as I am.  I know scores of small business owners who were married and their wife or husband were so frozen by financial fear that it hindered the success and growth of their business venture.

Hopefully like myself, you too are blessed with a supporting family and extended family that is rooting and cheering for your success.  It's surely a wild ride but a lot better than getting mixed up in the middle level managed confusion of corporate America or working for a company just to pay the bills.  My faith is in my business and I feel fortunate to be apart of a goal that has a valued purpose for the local small business owner.

Go For it ! Part 2

"Take chances with your life.  Be creative, go for it!.  You only live once.  At the end of your life, I guarantee you, that you will achieve more by going for it."

Go for it all !

Customers want to do business with someone they like.

As a consumer, no one wants to do business with a scrooge.   They want to interact with people they like and trust.  Make your customers feel comfortable and extert all effort to provide them the best service possible.  Someone right now is looking for your type of customer and they are willing to convince them of their superior products and services at a lower price than they are paying now.  Do something extra for your customers.