Having my own business for 18 years has not always been easy, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Here are 18 things I have learned so far. Hope they help you avoid some of my mistakes.

1. 18Business Lessons in 18 Years
FAUZIA BURKE, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF FSB ASSOCIATES

2. Having my own business for 18
years has not always been easy,
but I wouldn’t trade it for the
world.
Here are 18 things I have learned
so far. Hope they help you avoid
some of my mistakes.
18

3. 1
Be Honest
Be honest always,
with your staff, with
your clients and most
importantly with
yourself.

4. 2
Keep Promises
Keep every promise,
even the small ones.
Apologize profusely
if you can’t keep one.

5. 3
Show Respect
Treat everyone with
respect. Apologize if
you act disrespectfully.
We all have bad
moments.

6. 4
Be On Time
Be on time, always in
every way. It’s the
easiest way to earn
trust.

7. 5
Say No to Debt
Don’t borrow money.
You can’t be your own
boss if you owe people
money.

8. 6
Size Matters
Bigger is not always
better. It took me 16
years to learn this one.
Being Happier is way
better.

9. 7
Value Your Time
Time is your most
valuable asset, don’t
give it away, and don’t
waste it.

10. 8
Get a Partner
Get yourself an
excellent partner (in
business and in life). I
owe all my success to
one very amazing man.

11. 9
Hire Good People
Hire really, really,
really good people.You
may be tempted to fill
a job quickly, but
don’t.

12. 10
Ditch an Idea
Know when to quit an
idea. You can’t be
brilliant all the time.

13. 11
Learn Everyday
“Learn something new
everyday” is actually
great advice. Never
stop learning and
evolving.

14. 12
Ideal Client
Define your ideal
client/customer then
develop services to
help them.

15. 13
No, Thank You
Learn to say no
graciously, and often.
Every choice has a
price.

16. 14
Be Kind
Everyone messes up;
Give second chances.
Someday you may need
one too.

17. 15
Be an Expert
Nobody can do
everything well,
define your niche
and master it.

18. 16
Don’t Spam
Don’t spam ever,
anywhere, in any
format, on any
network.

19. 17
Be Grateful
Be grateful everyday
that you get to live
with passion and do the
work you love.

20. 18
Unplug
Take time off and
unplug. You’ll be more
productive & creative
if you take regular
unplugged breaks.

21. Having your own business is awesome.
Go forth and learn lessons of your own.
It is not an easy ride: expect sleepless
nights, and be ready to face every fear
and every insecurity, but at the end of
the day there is nothing better than
living an authentic, flexible, brave,
scary, passion-filled life.

22. Fauzia Burke
Fauzia Burke, Founder and President of FSB Associates
Providing Digital Branding and Publicity for Authors
www.fsbassociates.com
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