Small Business Owners Voice of ExperienceSuccessfully navigating the first year in business is a major feat and cause for celebration. The following list of encouraging suggestions is from groups of entrepreneurs who have reached the end of their first year in business and are about to launch into year two.

Here are some of the nuggets they offer:

• Develop a do it now attitude
• Think positive
• Know your business get into a type of business you know
• Don’t be intimidated
• Ensure that you have enough financing
• Delegate where you can
• Welcome challenges as opportunities
• Seek one or more mentors
• Be flexible, focused, open to learning, realistic, persistent, proactive
• Have positive support
• Set aside money for when things don’t go well
• Accept help from others
• Be prepared to work long hours – more than you think
• Choose a good location
• Join business networking groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce
• Develop and use a business plan
• Differentiate your business from your competitors
• Develop and use a marketing plan
• Develop and use an advertizing plan
• Satisfy your customers
• Create benefits for your customers
• Ask questions
• Provide excellent customer service
• Listen
• Check to ensure your customers are satisfied – ask them
• Get feedback
• Recognize that your business is separate from yourself
• Use feedback wisely

As I interact with these groups, hear their wise words, see the passion in their eyes – I realize I am among friends. One of the most impressive characteristics of entrepreneurs is that they simply refuse to surrender to the forces of a poor economy, unemployment or inertia. They are carving a living out of their environment, using their knowledge, their skills and their raw ingenuity. They are a proud, tough group of individuals and I am inspired by their achievements. They are doing it and you can too