Secrets of an Enduring, Successful Business

It was a crazy idea. What if we quit our regular jobs and went all-in on a business of our own? Could we really do that?

Turns out, yes we could. And have been for almost 17 years now.

In a world where we’re surrounded by “unicorns” and big exits, upstarts and startups, hardly anyone gives thought to what it takes to build an enduring, successful business. I’ve been in the trenches for a long time now, and here’s what I think the “secret sauce” is:

• Be willing to do the hard thing
• Go out of your way for your customers, treat them all the same, and with respect
• Have a singleminded vision
• But be flexible enough to change strategy when necessary
• Watch the trends but don’t be a slave to them
• Make all decisions as if you will be around for 15 years (no exit strategy unless you want your customers to be planning theirs)
• Hire people who care as much as you do
• Plant relationship seeds wherever you go, with no motive
• Help others build their businesses
• Don’t take anything (or anyone) for granted
• Listen actively and constantly
• Never burn bridges
• Underpromise and overdeliver
• Be accessible and real
• Don’t be a doormat; stick to your guns on the important stuff
• Decide what’s the important stuff
• Make time for working on the business
• Be a sponge; never stop learning, reading, growing your skill set
• Inject humor whenever you can, and keep your sense of humor
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help
• Establish good partnerships with other business builders who compliment your own business
• Let the competition worry about you; be aware of, but not focused on, your competition
• Be loyal to your customers, even when they’re not loyal to you
• Be gracious and kind, even if you’re not selected…you’ll get the next one
• Internalize your customers’ dreams and their pain points
• Take time to enjoy the fruits of your labor

Have you been in business for a long time? Please share your insights with us!

 

 

 

Featured image via Flickr CC: scott1346