Hindsight is 20/20. If you only knew then, when you first ventured into the business owners world, what you know now, how different would your business be? Well, since the clock can’t be turned back, no one will ever know the answer to that question. However, will you use your experience to help someone else along in her journey?

What are your top ten business success tips? Did you make a decision, learn a key lesson, use a new strategy, try new technology, or a service that lead to success? If so we’d like to hear from you. Each month we will post a top ten list and feature the contributing business owner.

To get the ball rolling I’ll start with the top ten success tips for my retreat business, The Art of Rest™

• Commit to a Mastermind Group-Regular meetings with my mastermind partner Shanna Robb, the owner of Breathing Space Organizing and Moving (www.givingyoutime.com)kept me focused. I strongly recommend starting or getting into a mastermind group if you are not in one. Visit (www.passionforbusiness.com)to read more about starting a Mastermind group.

• Share Resources-Don’t re-create the wheel, find partners and share information. I was able to save a lot of time and energy because of information sharing with Dr. Wright at The Wright Place TV Show (www.wrightplacetv.com). She me gave helpful tips on media and PR, necessary information for most business owners.


• Cross promote-With a good cross promotion everyone wins. Life Coach Gail Samuelson, owner of Spa for the Spirit was a retreat presenter. In exchange for her speaking services at a retreat, she was able to talk about the services that her company has to offer.

• Create Opportunities for Exposure-We gave the first Art of Rest™ award for outstanding customer service to the Temecula Creek Inn in California. The Inn was the location for our spring retreat. They gave amazing customer service that added to the success of the event. We sent out press releases to the business community announcing the award. It was good exposure for both companies. Write articles, give tips and volunteer.

• Get A Customer Service Person on Your Team-If you are too busy to take care of the important details such as sending thank you notes, returning calls in a timely manner and sending out special occasion cards find someone who will help you. Even if you are a small business, find a person that can help you keep your customers happy.

• Build a Team That Represents Your Message-If you have others meeting or greeting your customers, make sure that your team represents you and your company well.

• Identify Your Strengths-Identify what you are good at, and ask for help when you need it.

• Get a good financial advisor.

• Write down Goals and Keep a Good Schedule- Write down your weekly goals and keep a schedule of what you will do each day of the week. Have a day for meetings, a day for office, a day for planning, etc.

• Take Time Off To Rest-This is one of the biggest challenges of the business owner. It’s easy to make a habit of putting in long days and working seven days a week. Be aware that burn-out can put even the most successful business in danger.

I look forward to reading your top ten business success tips.