Tips For Growing Your Business

By: Christina Ioannou and Harrell Gunn

Growing a successful business can seem like a daunting task. After all, by the end of their fifth year, roughly half of all small business owners have closed up shop. Yet there are many statistics that show the United States of America is still the best country in the world to start a business.

It’s true there are highs and lows to face along the way, but the benefits entrepreneurs find of being their own boss in the U.S. outweigh any downfalls. By creating a business founded on compassion and drive, a business owner can stray away from being just another statistic and turn a business into a thriving success. Let’s dive into the three secrets to making it big in business.

The drive to succeed.

It’s not far-fetched to assume all business owners have the same goal: to see their company grow and flourish. However, it’s not the goal that separates the prosperous from those who don’t make it. It’s the drive and work ethic of the entrepreneur.

Where does that drive come from? It is created by envisioning the reward at the end of the journey and overcoming everything that stands in the way. It is about propelling forward no matter what. One must possess trust in their own abilities and a desire to succeed that is not derailed by twists and turns in their personal entrepreneurial journey.

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Focus.

Poor focus can easily get in the way of growing a business. It takes time to network and build up a business to a sustainable level, meaning focus must be maintained throughout the process. For example, Harrell Gunn, founder of Gunn Law Group, sees multiple cases come across his desk, but stays focused on the task at hand. He is aware his clients’ life situations depend on him staying dedicated and enthusiastic on each and every case:

I am very passionate about helping others, especially those that are in a bad situation and have no one else to turn to. Many of my clients come to me in a very tough time in their life. I take the responsibility seriously and do my best to help turn that situation around.

Successful entrepreneurs know the importance focus plays in reaching long-term goals, but those goals need to be clear and specific. For example, Gunn could have chosen any area of law, but knew his gifts of communication and a deep level of empathy were best suited to focusing on personal injury law. A business will better succeed when it is focused on one goal.

This isn’t always easy, but concentrating on each step of the journey one at a time can help. The biggest stumbling blocks for business owners can be poor time management and lack of focus, so keeping that drive discussed earlier along with self-discipline will keep that goal within reach. It also is beneficial to have a support system with those who can help keep an entrepreneur on track and focused.

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Empathy.

For those who decide to run their own business, it should be about more than just chasing numbers. Small businesses are the backbones of their communities. When a client enters the doorstep of a business, they should feel compassion seeping from its walls. This is accomplished by genuinely caring for clients with a keen sense of detail:

For me, I understand a lot of my clients are going through a tough time in their life when they come to me, if not the toughest. I recognize their need to be heard, which in turn helps me effectively advocate on their behalf. Leave no stone unturned.

Business owners should put themselves in the shoes of their clients, employees, and others around them as they use kindness to drive their business. If a business is run on empathy, it will not only benefit the community, but also will help the success of the business itself.

Word of mouth is a powerful motivator in the success of any company, and those entrepreneurs who strive to run a business with the respect and compassion a community deserves will see growth of leaps and bounds over competitors. Particularly during the difficult times entrepreneurs and employees alike have faced recently, demonstrating a dedication to empathy in leading a business is the way for everyone to move forward in exciting new ways.

The right mix of drive, focus, and empathy is the mark of any great entrepreneur. While it can be scary to take a step toward growing a business, the country needs those business owners willing and able to take a chance at greatness.

[Related: Top Five Legal Basics for Business Owners]

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Christina Ioannou is an established professional with experience in advertising, marketing, and arts and design.

During his time at Georgia State University College of Law, Harrell Gunn started the process of networking and getting himself versed in different areas of law. He knew he wanted to help people, and after a little time in criminal defense, he realized he could do more for people on the plaintiff side, and made the leap to start his own firm, specializing in personal injury cases. He has not looked back and feels that everyone should know that starting a business is achievable. Learn more about Harrell Gunn and the Gunn Law Group.