There are three steps to being a successful entrepreneur; Passion, People, and Profits.

Most new business owners are passionate about what they do.  They typically eat breath and sleep their business whatever it is.  No one likes to fail especially if you are doing what you really love. Connecting with People and building relationships is key.  I love my customers.  I spend time with them and learn what is going on in their lives.  I send birthday, thank you, and other special occasion postcards.  I visit them in the hospital, attend weddings and funerals.  I offer my services personal and professional so they know I am there for them.  I never just drop off products or do services and say goodbye.  It takes time but bottom line is my profits are higher when I build my relationships deeper.  It is much harder to acquire a new client rather than take care of an existing one.  Show them loyalty and your clients will do the same.  Have a Customer Appreciation Day or Week!  Team up with other business owners to do a joint effort in showing your clients how important they are.  I know with owning four businesses, my customers are my profits.  If I take care of them and take the dollar signs out of the equation, the profits will be there.  Mary Kay Ash, Mary Kay Cosmetics, always said, P&L stood for People and Love, not Profit and Loss.  I agree with that statement and have seen it in my own companies. Remain passionate, build relationships with people and your profits will be soaring to the top.