In nearly every business book I read and from the lips of nearly every business guru I listen to is the premise that you have to grow your business. Grow, grow, grow -- think big -- and you'll feel successful. More products, more services, more revenue -- and you'll be happy. Bigger is better, right? Here's a secret that I'm going to start …
Embarrassed to Discuss Your Prices? Seven common reasons we can’t talk about fees and how to overcome them
Last week, a wonderfully-skilled electrician installed a new light fixture for us. He was competent, courteous and efficient. He answered all our questions simply, with skill and eloquence. I was amazed, as you might imagine, when I asked him how much we owed him -- and his embarrassed reply was, "Gee, is $50 okay?" With the quality of work …
Behold, The Power of Manure
My great-great-grandmother lived on a dairy farm. She loved flowers, especially her roses. In front of the small, white farm house, she planted seeds each year. If the soil, weather and insect gods smiled down on her in the right proportions, she was rewarded with a lovely display which warmed her heart and soul. Trouble began to …
Small Business Fear, Success, and Daily Rituals
What makes one small business owner more successful than another? Trust me, it's not lack of fear. We're all afraid of failing, of our offer being rejected, of making a complete flop of a project, of screwing up a business relationship. What's the difference between entrepreneurs who are successful and those who aren't? Successful entrepreneurs …
How To Create A “Perfect” Life: Kathleen’s Story
Everyone believed that Kathleen Wiltshire had a great life. She had a close and loving family, a business she loved and for which she was well-paid, and a bright and cheerful outlook on life. Kathleen also had too much stress in her life. Both of her elderly parents were ill, her mother with advanced heart disease, and her father with …
What Is Your Legacy?
During a recent speech, I told the audience that my mission was to empower the self-employed to succeed. Instantly a hand shot up in the audience. "What's your definition of success?" I smiled to myself -- I love it when they ask this question! There are as many definitions of success as there are self-employed people. Success …