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Why small businesses cannot afford to be known for negativity Every small business owner knows customers have choices. They can shop online. They can drive to the next town. They can visit a competitor. They can stay home. And in a small community, where the customer pool is not unlimited, every relationship matters. That is why attitude is not a small thing. It is not just a personality trait. Your attitude becomes part of your business atmosphere. It shapes how customers fe

James Smith, Executive Director Bold or Bad? How to Know the Difference Some decisions feel exciting in the moment. They feel bold. Adventurous. Like the kind of move a leader is supposed to make. But not every bold idea is a good one. And I learned that the hard way. Several years ago, I was on a canoe trip in the Big South Fork with my nephew. We came up on Angel Falls—a stretch of water that demands respect. The plan was clear: get out, portage around it, and keep moving.

James Smith, Executive Director My 20's were very transformative years. College, military, marriage, children, finding my footing with my faith, first few jobs. I went to a lot of trainings, read a lot of books, and had a lot of mentors! Everything was new so I wanted it all!!! One time I was struggling...big time! And the struggle was over time. And one of my mentors told me something that stopped me in my tracks: You have the same 168 hours each week as Leonardo da Vinci. T

James Smith, Executive Director Simple Actions You Can Take This Week to Build Momentum You don’t need a full business overhaul to see results. Sometimes, the right small action—done today—creates immediate momentum. HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE ✔ Pick 3–5 actions to complete this week ✔ Don’t overthink—these are meant to be fast ✔ Check them off as you go ✔ Repeat weekly for consistent growth HOME-BASED & SOLO ENTREPRENEURS ☐ 1. Share Your “Why I Started” Story What to Do: Post a