Boss Blueprint
How to Run a Successful Business. Plus tips on how to be a great boss.
How to run a successful business. Plus tips on how to be a great boss.
Bill Sorochak
Ronald McDonald House Charities, Executive Director
You need to lead by example. I hope it is abundantly clear to everyone that the Ronald McDonald House is my life’s work. My commitment to success is less about me and very much about creating something unique, special and sustainable for the people who are investing their time and talent into our organization. Yes, I want to win. I believe I want to win more in the service of others than for what it means to me personally.
Simply put, successful businesses are about their people and how you help them. Show them a vision and make its success contagious. Be present with presence — put in the work, wherever it is needed. It’s not leading from the front, but side by side. Make it contagious. You need to care about the culture of the company. Always put your staff in positions to succeed — eliminate barriers. Make sure there is a sense of pride and belonging in your organization. Be invested in your people.
Successful businesses are always about the people — the people who provide the services, but more importantly, those we serve.
Corbin Parker
BowTie Barbecue Co., Owner
At the end of the day, you’re in the people business. It doesn’t matter where you work, that credo holds true. So for me, the key is to just be nice. Take care of your people. Whether that is someone on your team, a guest walking in your door for the first time, or as a guest walking in for their hundredth time. Take good care of them and listen. If I don’t know, I can’t grow! Always be willing to learn more. Pursuing growth is so important, no matter what industry you work in. Go out and learn: attend a seminar, read a book, listen to a podcast… however you do it, just educate yourself!
Most importantly, be there for your family. It’s a weird place we’ve created for ourselves. You work so you can take care of your family, but do you ever get to enjoy being with them? Make that time. And make sure your team has that time. In the end, we’re all a big family, and family is everything.
Lenon Page
Spa Bleu, Owner
Every business is unique. Finding special things that work for you and being consistent is so important in this industry. Your business is only as good as your staff, so treat your staff well and your business will reflect that positivity. Be organized, be flexible, be honest, and most of all… be authentic. The phrase “rule with an iron fist” isn’t always good advice… we aren’t on “Game of Thrones,” after all. As a small business owner, I have learned that you are never “off work,” so work hard daily and do your best and your business will succeed. I strive to be honest, hardworking and treat my staff with respect and deliver a truly unique experience to each client.
Susan Renfroe
Roots Southern Salon, Owner
One of the most important parts of running a successful business is making time for each employee once a month for a “one-on-one” meeting discussing their career path guide, goal tracking system and continuing education. With every stylist we promote, every team goal we achieve and every assisting student who passes the board test, we celebrate. Celebrating, acknowledging and rewarding our employees is a huge priority in our company. We celebrate a win no matter the size of the accomplishment and we discuss losses by problem-solving and renaming them “new discoveries.”
Service, education and teamwork are required to be represented at all times by each of our employees and I chose these three core values based on what I am most passionate about. I spend a great deal of time training up new hires to know, understand and respect the vision I have for our company. Managing people isn’t easy and sometimes it can be very stressful and overwhelming. By identifying each individual’s strengths, I am able to name “Team Leaders,” each having a role of responsibility to the team so we can all work together to achieve our goals.
Tersh Blissett
IceBound HVAC & Refrigeration, COO
When asked what it takes to run a successful business, the answer is pretty simple… surrounding myself with people who are smarter than I am, and harder working than myself. And let them do what they are there to do rather than micromanaging them. Everything does not have to be my idea… in fact, I like for things to be someone else on the team’s idea! That’s my goal… my teammates are hired for a reason, and I want them doing what they are hired to do. If I stand over them, then I may as well do the job myself, and that is no way to grow a successful business!
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