29/06/2024
3%
Recently, a friend and local business owner mentioned that 20 years was the destination of only 3% of small businesses. I believe it. 97% of people aren’t cut out for small busines ownership over the long haul. It’s stupid hard. It’s not for almost everyone.
Maybe I’m crazy, but here we are. 20 years. It’s quite surreal.
Here are some things that I have learned along the way:
1. Hire an accountant. Don’t ignore “the man”. He will want your tax money and you will have no power over that!
2. You can’t be successful all the time! It’s not a destination where you will live, it’s the place you find yourself when you make good choices.
3. Believe in yourself.
4. Business owners are almost never rich, we are determined though!
5. No one is going to help you for free!
6. Credit cards and credit card processing is a game you will not win, but is necessary. Figure that into your losses.
7. Mistakes are an opportunity to prove you have integrity.
8. Having a financial cushion is critical. Some months are just scarce.
9. Give back to your community. It’s always a win win!
10. Spend less than you make. It sounds like a no brainer, but it’s hard to do.
20 years of supporting the Norman business community as Sublime Signs has been a great challenge, and has produced great rewards, and has been a great big I LOVE YOU NORMAN!
If you are starting a new business, it’s OK to be afraid. You should be. Use that fear as fuel and walk through the fire! It’s your best chance at success.
Here is to 20 more years. CHEERS!