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A positive attitude sets the tone for business success
By Ted Albenesius
SCORE Card
You probably remember the childhood story “The Little Engine that Could.” The same power of positive thinking can help you overcome the inevitable obstacles that can stand in the way of becoming a successful entrepreneur.
Your attitude toward business directly affects what you achieve. The moment you become a business owner, you represent yourself, the business and your expectations for success. Your attitude and manner convey your confidence and commitment to small business. Exemplify a can-do outlook.
Many entrepreneurs confess that they get a charge from the combination of a desire to succeed and the required hard work. If you never underestimate the competition, you never underestimate your ability to rise to the occasion. Small business is dynamic and your energy level, both real and perceived, influences how successful you will be in the marketplace. In the small-business world of modest profit margins, fierce competition and time constraints, don’t be guilty of the four cardinal “can’t do it” ways of thinking:
• I can’t. I have no time and I’ve already got too much on my plate.
• I can’t. There is just not enough money to do everything.
• I can’t. My competitors are making the market too tough.
• I can’t. Technology will only complicate my business.
Of course, although funds may be lacking, competitors seldom are. You will constantly need to learn new things to stay at least even with your competition. Yet, those people you most admire in business look not at setbacks but at opportunities. That spirit of can-do—what can we do today, what will we do tomorrow and how we will succeed—is the essence of success.
The above describes the attributes and outlook enjoyed by Susie Gates, general manager and half-owner of Cool Beanz and Books LLC, which does business as “The Scoop,” a subchapter-S corporation founded by Gates and her silent partner Ava Jordan, who owns the other 50% of the business.
Their store is located at 7685 Northwoods Blvd., in North Charleston and their
e-mail is thescoopbooks@gmail.com.
The Scoop offers discounted books, freshly roasted and ground coffee and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream while also helping support local nonprofit organization Communities in Schools, which is dedicated to helping at-risk youths stay in school and prepare for life.
Gates and Jordan have had extensive marketing and management experience with ABC News Channel 4 and in the Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Va., areas.
Gates first called on Service Corps of Retired Executives in March of this year seeking help in writing a business plan and in securing a startup loan.
At SCORE, she met counselor Bud Brawner, who guided her through the various phases of assembling her business plan. The pair had more than six counseling sessions, some face-to-face and others via e-mail.
Brawner put Gates in touch with Patrick King, CEO of Local Development Corp., who represented her loan application to his board of directors for consideration. By the end of May, The Scoop met LDC’s requirements and the loan was approved as submitted.
Gates thanks Brawner and King for their efforts on behalf of her new venture, which opened for business in July 2006. Her business continues to grow week by week and she looks forward to a successful holiday season.
When asked how SCORE helped her launch her first every business venture, Gates said that Brawner gave her assurance that she was on the right path from Day One. He helped her fine-tune her business plan, which she submitted to the Local Development Corp. He also answered her questions promptly and guided her step-by-step on the way to a successful start and beyond.
“Without (Brawner’s) help and the fine cooperation of Patrick King, I never would have made it,” said Gates.
Ted Albenesius is a retired Charleston businessman and past chairman of the local SCORE chapter. The Charleston SCORE chapter can be contacted at (843) 727-4778 or www.score285.org.
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