Twenty years is a long time and yet it goes by so fast when
you are busy building a business.
Stowebridge was started by Ron Thomas twenty years ago in the basement
of our home. He is the visionary behind
Stowebridge and its success, while I run the day to day operations so he can
focus on our customers and future growth.
Entrepreneurship is exciting and scary and challenging every
day. I grew up in a very entrepreneurial
family. Good news is you get to guide
the company to success. That is also
scary and challenging, especially in difficult economic times and especially
when you are responsible for other employees and their livelihood.
Entrepreneurship is hard work but rewarding. Good news – no one tells you what to do. Bad news – no one tells you what to do. So given all that, here is a list of what I have
learned:
Take care of customers – make sure you exceed their
expectations every day.
Remember customers are people and people choose to do
business with people, so be the best person you can be.
A customer is more than just a single transaction – don’t
let a customer be disappointed and lose a customer for life over one mistake –
make it right for the customer.
Employees are your best asset. They are the people with whom you spend your
day; they are the people who help you take care of customers. Value them and build a team of the best
individuals you can find.
Great culture in a company is everything. It comes from the top and the bottom. It needs to be lived by every individual in
the organization.
Hire smart people.
Fire people who don’t live the culture.
Understand that employees are people too. They have lives that are filled with ups and
downs. Coach them, be understanding that
they have challenges outside the workplace.
Keep learning. Build
a network of smart people who inspire you and challenge you.
Give back to the community – volunteer, share your skills
and gifts with others. Use what you do
in your business to make the world a better place.
Take time for yourself.
Make time for friends. Recharge, Refresh
your soul, Breathe some fresh air.
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