- It takes more than eight years to establish a business (establish = you know with a high degree of certainty that you will be around 8 years from now.)
- It feels good to be your own boss. But it comes with great responsibility (Pepper impacts 22 families directly and several other indirectly.)
- Courage is the single most important attribute you need to maintain a business. (I do not have too much of that quality but I have a wife named Rebecca who always sees the glass as more full than empty.)
- You need more working capital than you think you need (revenue is always overstated and expenses understated – receivables makes things worse.)
- You need a “board” to help you with the big decisions (even if it is an informal one; mentors you can lean on. I have a few great ones.)
- Watch how you add costs (Only expenses are guaranteed in business. Cash is king, so don’t part with it easily.)
- Bring your people in on your plans. (We have not been good at this.) Not even a doubles vendor can run a business by themselves.
- Reputation is your single most important asset. So always do the right thing.
