Invaluable Advice From 18 Of America’s Top Small Business Owners
Every state in America picked one small business owner as its small business person of the year as part of National Small Business Week. Each one of them was up for the national award as well.
[source: Inc Magazine] Here are 18 of the winners, along with the one piece of advice they have for current and aspiring business owners.
“Surround yourself around the best people you can and give them an opportunity to do what they love to do best. Each one of my staff and faculty are leaders themselves. I cannot succeed without them.”
ARIZONA: John Stonecipher, President and CEO of Guidance Aviation Inc. and Small Business Person Of The Year Winner
www.guidance.aero
“Always take the high road in business decisions. Do the right thing. You’ll never regret it.”
OREGON: Judith Huck, President, Classique Floors Inc.
www.classiquefloors.com
“Try to find a mentor if possible. I was incredibly fortunate to have had Art Christoffersen as my business partner. He was a great sounding board and really never told me what to do, but he asked some great questions that led me to the answer.”
IOWA: Charles Hammond, President and CEO, Raining Rose
www.raininrose.com
“I guess I would say don’t be afraid. If they have a business idea but are afraid because of a lack of funding or experience and so on, I have to tell them don’t worry, these are not going to be an issue in this country.”
KENTUCKY: Dr. Mehdi Yazdanpanah, CEO, Founder of NaugaNeedles
www.nauganeedles.com
“The advice I’d give is to make as many mistakes as you can, as fast as you can. Get them out of the way. No one hits home runs right away.”
CONNECTICUT: Chris Runyan, President, GameXChange
www.gogamexchange.com
“One of the things we were told is pretty simple ╤ do the best you can, and do it when you say you’re going to. In my business, it makes a big difference.”
MAINE: Matt Qualey, President, Granite & Stone Fabrication
www.qualeygranite.com
“Do not underestimate the amount of effort, perseverance, and discipline that is required to be successful. I cannot stress that enough. There will be problems and you must be ready mentally, physically, and spiritually to deal with them. If you are starting a business to get rich and work less, then you are on the wrong path. One should be working on enjoying the journey not thinking about the destination. The riches-seekers never reach it.”
SOUTH CAROLINA: Noah Thomas Leask, President and CEO of ISHPI
www.ishpi.com
“Be collaborative with your staff, your customers, and your vendors or suppliers. The more you trust the team knowledge and wisdom of those around you, the more quickly you can recognize and adapt to changes, provide better products or services, and the stronger your organization will be.”
ALABAMA: Ellen Didier, President, Red Sage Communications
www.redsageonline.com
“It’s about long-term relationships and treating your customers right. Do what’s right for them long-term. Once you win the business, that’s when the hard work begins. It’s all about relationships and reputation.”
MARYLAND: Mike Sawyers, President, 7Delta
www.7delta.com
“Look at every interaction as a networking opportunity. You never know when a business opportunity will present itself. A chance encounter could be a big break for your company.”
PENNSYLVANIA: Regina Broudy, President, Clayton Kendall
www.claytonkendall.com
“We definitely have, well, actually have just defined our core values and crystallized what we think Illumination has been built on: a spirit of optimism and believing in ourselves. Don’t be afraid to lean forward and take risks… dream big and then believe in yourself to make it happen.”
OHIO: Karri Bass, Founder and President, Illumination Research
www.illumination-research.com
“Build your business around your life, not your life around your business. This will give you stamina to build a business with longevity.”
RHODE ISLAND: Brenda Brock, founder, formulator and CEO of Farmaesthetics
www.farmaesthetics.com
“We’ve had this business-owners group where we get together at somebody’s operation. We have a potluck, we have a topic, and usually it’s something [the host company] is struggling with. We have an hour or so discussion about that topic. It’s extremely powerful. I always encourage folks to start something like that in their area.”
VERMONT: Pete Johnson, President of Pete’s Greens
www.petesgreens.com
“Develop a daily P&L and ask yourself ‘Are we making money today or losing money today?’ This will allow for you to fix a problem quickly or continue to do the things that work.”
WASHINGTON: Jill Blankenship, CEO, Frontline Call Center
www.frontlinecallcenter.com
“It comes from your mother. And she says when you tell somebody you’re going to do something, do it. That’s it. And it still rings true today…”
VIRGINIA: Jason Cohen, President, ILM Corporation
www.ilmcorp.com
“Hire an industry-specific consultant. Then hire a business systems consultant (like Emyth Benchmark). Then hire a marketing firm to help you market your business. Don’t reinvent the wheel, buy some advice and let the marketing firm do what you will never have time to do. Then you can just focus on what you love — running your business.”
WYOMING: Aaron Rodolph, President, Rodolph Brothers Inc.
www.rudolphbros.com
“First, you have to be passionate about your business because having your own business is not a job it is a way of life. Second, create (and articulate) your vision for the business and then be relentless in executing your go-to-market strategies and tactics. A solid plan is important; hard work and execution are critical.”
WISCONSIN: Tom Nieman, Owner, Fromm Family Foods
www.frommfamily.com
“Growing a business is about taking risks in a competitive environment, while continuing to build and maintain a solid reputation that your company delivers the utmost customer service. And very importantly,╩any business owners should strive to surround themselves with trustworthy, reliable people who support their company’s mission and values.”
WASHINGTON D.C.: Tom. J. Loftus, President, Founder and CEO of LS Technologies LLC
www.lstechllc.com