When you make long trips, you tend to create challenges for yourself so itâs more interesting. I used to strive to beat my last best time. Now that Iâm doing more driving to different destinations (and am finally starting to mature past the teenager state-of-mind), Iâve found fun in trying to best my mileage.
Itâs amazing what a difference this has made. Fuel savings aside, I didnât realize how much stress driving fast and trying to beat the clock added to my day. That heart-pumping, adrenaline-racing state takes its toll.
Slow drivers, or worse, what Iâve come to know as âthe Rochester Blockâ (two cars going the same slow speed back bumper to front in adjacent lanes) used to drive me crazy. Now, I donât care.
Instead of checking my watch and mileage count every minute, Iâm relaxing, noticing a lot more and enjoying the ride.
I allow a good amount of extra time, so am no longer anxious when unexpected construction pops up or toll lines are long.
Thereâs a lot about driving that applies to small business success
Steady and patient are great qualities to have when running a successful small business. Keeping a close eye on outflows doesnât hurt either. The overnight million dollar wonders are few and far between (and usually lying). Speed and dangerous benchmarks (and associated risks) rarely pay the anticipated dividends. Plus, it makes it harder to sleep at night.
If youâre truly committed to making your small business a success, youâll get there, provided you start with some forethought. If youâre motivated by money alone, youâre better off finding a salaried job. Think get-rich-quick schemes are the ticket? Play the lottery. Your odds will be better.
Quick tips for small business success
For those committed to achieving small business success (of course, you have to define what this is for you), there are some things you should consider.
- Are you passionate about your business idea? This is critical. If you donât feel a calling for what youâre doing, it shows. Plus, you wonât have the grit to persevere through the start-up phase and challenging times later.
- Is there a market for what youâre offering? Talk to more than your friends and family to determine this (depending on whom you surround yourself with you’ll likely either hear unconditional enthusiasm or doomsday projections – neither is much help).
- Do you have a spouse, reserves or alternate streams of income to get you through the first two years? This is a fair estimate for most start-ups on how long it will take to get past survival and into a sustained, reliable revenue state.
- Can you find seasoned mentors to help guide you through new territory? Youâll be amazed at how willing most people will be to help you succeed, provided you approach them with intelligent questions and a thoughtful conversation (note well: donât schedule a meeting with the intent to pitch your wares).
- Will you reach out of your comfort zone to connect with people who could serve as centers-of-influence? This doesnât mean you need to master public speaking, embrace video or be an online butterfly if thatâs not what works for you, but it does require committing to a consistent marketing strategy that will probably require some face-time with important connections.
- Are you ready to get excited about the possibilities with long-term planning? Seeing where you want to get is critical when creating a plan for success. Filling in some of the details (marketing, financial, strategic, vendor/collaborator ideals) is an important part of choosing the route youâll take to get there. Even if itâs only three months at a time, thatâs OK. Just look forward before you leap.
- Do you have the knowledge or are you willing to commit to educating yourself to gain it? Just because you created a website for your friend doesnât make you a graphic (or web) designer. Liking flowers doesnât make you a qualified florist. A hobby can be a great idea for a business start, but creating a successful venture often requires deeper study. Â Â Â Â Â Â
Passion, buyers, cash reserves, mentors, communication, commitment and knowledge are all critical factors in creating small business success. Do you really want this? You can make it so. Itâs not that hard, but not as easy as many of the buy-mine crowd claims.
Please take a moment to sign up for future blog posts and other surprises (on the right column of this page) and use the share bar (to the left â scroll up) if you liked this post. Thanks for investing your time read and comment.
4 responses to “7 tips for small business success”
People are surprised when they hear that you need another income t live on for 2 or 3 years. costumers don’t get it that you are not paying yourself a salary and you probably are not rich. #3
Thanks for stopping in again, and commenting, Malika. What I find sad is when start ups quit right before their efforts are about to turn fruitful. I’ve worked with a lot of small businesses over the (24) years I’ve focused on this segment. Those ease in and put less pressure on themselves (and their business) do better. I’ve created a few businesses myself, too. It seems that right about the two year mark you start getting referrals from people you don’t recall meeting and have more business than you can handle (provided you’ve been consistent and smart with marketing efforts).
I absolutely agree with you. Iâm by myself in the process of building a small business. UBC
You’re working with an interesting topic, Shasheta. I look forward to reading more on your thoughts and the connections you make.