35 Proven Business Tips for Entrepreneurs

As a small business owner running a marketing and loyalty agency AND a start-up blogging website, I sometimes find myself asking, "Is all of this work really worth it? Wouldn't it just be easier if I just went back to working for a large agency?"

Granted, I ask that silent question knowing in my heart that the work is indeed worth it.

There's nothing more satisfying than working with my clients (that I personally found and chose to work with) to help them achieve their goals. There's also something insanely exhilarating about building a start-up website (www.stageoflife.com) from scratch and watching it grow month after month.

However...it does take a lot of work.

And that work does weigh heavy at times.

In fact, it was with reluctance the other week when I attended a half-day seminar held at York College of Pennsylvania called the Entrepreneurship Central PA 2011 Conference (which I found out about from the Central Penn Business Journal). This event was geared towards inspiring entrepreneurs to succeed with their businesses. Before registering, I previewed the agenda, looked over the panel of experts, and read aloud the session titles like, "2012 Economic Forcast by Economist from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia."

Sounded interesting.

But a part of me balked as I thought: I don't have time for something like this. I'm too busy.

--I have clients to help.

--I have a website to run.

I...have...stuff...to...do.

Thankfully, my heart once again spoke up and whispered, "Eric, when will there be a conference of this nature this close to your office?" And my little whispering heart was right. This event was being held less than 10 minutes from my front door.

So I went.

And I'm glad I did.

I took notes during all of the presentations and sessions. There was one session in particular, at the end of the event, during which every time the speakers (who happened to be successful entrepreneurs themselves who now run large companies) gave a nugget of advice, I wrote it down.

The speakers were:

• Joseph E. Besecker of Emerald Asset Management Inc.
• Wendie DiMatteo Holsinger of ASK Foods
• Robert A. Kinsley of Kinsley Construction Inc.

Below you'll find the list of tips I gathered from these three. I emphasize that these tips, recommendations, and pieces of advice below are not mine, but those of the guest speakers.

I call this list: "35 Proven Business Tips for Entrepreneurs."

Here's what the panel had to say:

1. Have faith in your idea. If you knew how many entrepreneurs quit on their idea when they were actually incredibly close to "making it," it would be depressing.
2. Share your dream with others.
3. Define your box. Don't let your competitors define you.
4. Compel earnestness. Word hard. Be serious about your business.
5. Don't be afraid to fail.
6. Be unique. It takes courage to be different.
7. Be honest with yourself.
8. Drive with one steering wheel, i.e. have one leader. Do NOT lead by consensus.
9. Ensure you have a passion for what you do.
10. People do business with people they like.
11. You need money. And cash flow.
12. Make an impression.
13. Listen.
14. Give back to your community.
15. Do your research before every call, pitch, proposal or meeting. Don't you dare walk into a business engagement cold or without prior knowledge of the other party.
16. Send hand-written notes.
17. Remember birthdays.
18. Say thank-you.
19. Give free stuff.
20. Don't skimp on your providers.
21. Don't be afraid to cash-out if the right offer comes along.
22. Communicate - communicate - communicate.
23. Take strategic planning seriously. Don't pick too many goals. Stay focused, and incorporate your strategic plans/goals into the everyday business culture of your company.
24. Create a work/life balance using these three pillars: Family - Work - Community. You need all three. Like a juggler, don't drop one of these three balls.
25. Passion and success can be contagious.
26. Don't sweat the small the stuff. Are you living life to the fullest or worrying about the little things?
27. Lead with integrity. Do the right thing.
28. Give credit where credit is due.
29. Be a risk taker.
30. You can't do it by yourself. Surround yourself with a strong team.
31. Don't stray away from your core values.
32. Don't venture into the unknown without understanding.
33. Watch the company you keep. If you wouldn't want to be seen at dinner with the person, don't take them on as a client, vender, associate, etc.
34. Be a mentor.
35. Don't miss conferences that can help your business if they are 10 minutes from your office door.*

*I added this last one.

But it's true. After sitting through the half day conference, networking during breaks, and eating a complimentary chocolate chip cookie (or three) from the snack table, I walked away that afternoon feeling energized. Supported. Confident.

Which is funny when I'm supporting loyalty and membership accounts with some of the nation's largest brands. You wouldn't think I would need more confidence. But like I said at the beginning of this post...it sometimes feels overwhelming when you're building something from the ground up.

But mostly, I felt good because I think I'm on the right track with the majority of those 35 items I listed above. I say "majority." Not all. I still have a lot of work to do as I grow into a wiser business owner, community member, and most importantly, husband and father (taking from Wendie's tip on balancing Work - Community - Family).

Speaking of the last part, I packed my daughters their lunches during the daily breakfast routine this morning. Today's lunch consisted of:

• Jif and Grape Smuckers P&J
• White corn chips
• Swiss Miss Chocolate pudding (for Raina)
• A fresh apple
• Five marsh mellows for each girl (they're crazy for marsh mellows right now).
• Napkin
• Water
• And of course, my hand-drawn note for Raina to make her laugh (see attached photo).

I wish you all the best in your lives and businesses. I hope the list above gave some of you a little inspiration.

Till tomorrow...

--Eric Thiegs

CEO of Stage of Life LLC and www.stageoflife.com