Successful Indie Says "Steal" Your Way to the Top
I love traveling for many reasons, but lately, the main one is the interesting and friendly people I've sat next to on airplanes. Last month, I met Amri Johnson (Twitter: @amrijohnson), an author I hope to have on Indie Business Radio soon. Yesterday, on the flight from San Francisco after The Nova Studio's Business Boot Camp, I met E. Gary Smith. E. Gary, age 57, is a native Atlantian who now makes his home in the San Francisco bay area.
The first thing I noticed about E. Gary is that he was holding a book by Michael Gerber, a well known small business success guru. The first thing he noticed about me is that I was holding a book my Mark LeBlanc, a well known small business success guru. We struck up a conversation, and what do you know? E. Gary allowed me to snap a photo of him (sorry guys, he wouldn't go for the video), and he agreed to let me interview him about his journey as a successful Indie Business owner.
dM: Tell me about your business
For 20 years, I have owned Menalto Cleaners in Menlo Park, California. It's a neighborhood business; I live right around the corner. I have a few employees who manage the business for me. I also maintain accounts with local department stores and luxury hotels to launder the clothing of customers and guests.
I purchased the business 20 years ago for a song and worked hard to make it a success. Today, the business is very profitable and debt free, and it allows me to pursue many interests including launching a new business.
dM: Tell me about your new business
My new business is Tete Cuvee, which is French for Top of the Line. Tete Cuvee will officially launch in February 2010, and will offer the highest quality custom formal wear for men. I am the designer of the line. I am also the financial backer.
I am traveling to Europe in a few months for a fabric shopping mission. While I will import fabric, I am proud that every article of custom clothing will be designed and handmade by me and a small staff right here in the US.
dM: Why a clothing line?
Because I think it's important for men to be tailored and well groomed. Not everyone agrees. For example, my sister was trained to take care of her nails and to use a nail buffer to buff them to a high and healthy shine. I didn't learn this easy and inexpensive grooming tip until a few years ago! Men want to look good too, and my clothing line is designed for the man who takes care of himself and is impeccably groomed.
I love clothes and I take care of myself. I have enjoyed two manicures within the past week and I make sure I am well dressed even in casual settings. I plan to stay at the Four Seasons Hotel while I'm in Atlanta settling my father's estate. This will be important to me since a death in the family is always challenging and I plan to treat myself well while I am going through the process.
dM: Tell me more about how you take care of yourself
Well, fitness is a huge part of my life. I generally go to bed before 10:00pm. I get up without an alarm at about 4:00am. I am out with my running parter by 5:00am. I run about 6 times a week, and go to the gym throughout the week for weight lifting. I try to work specific areas of my body to stay strong. I enjoy socializing with guys at the gym, many of whom are my informal workout partners. Having partners holds me accountable and makes fitness fun.
Our bodies were meant to be moved. I believe that exercise and a healthy body are two of the keys to success in life and in business.
dM: Based on your two decades as a successful business owner, what is one of your best success tips?
My mother always told me: "Steal with your eyes." I have used this advice throughout my business career and I think it is a major part of the reason I have been so successful.
There is no reason why a person cannot be successful in business, so long as they steal with their eyes. This does not mean that you take other people's work and represent it as your own. What is means is that you remember that you don't have to reinvent the wheel. Just watch what others do.
Study the habits, characteristics, websites, marketing materials, etc., of people with businesses like you envision yours one day being. Then, simply do what they do. Put your own spin on it of course, but the bottom line is that you use your eyes to watch and then you "steal" what works, make it your own and put it to work for you. Steal with your eyes.
What did you steal today?
This is NOT about becoming a thief and infringing on others' intellectual property rights. Neither I nor E. Gary condone such activity. "Stealing with your eyes" is about watching what other people do, filtering it through your sense of style and business goals, and then repeating it with your own spin. One of the things I have "stolen with my eyes" is listing "Related Posts" at the end of each my blog posts. This makes it easy for readers who like the current post to stick around and enjoy others. Several bloggers do this, but I specifically remember "stealing" it from Brian Clarke.
So think about it, what did you steal today. Share it in the comments section below. Maybe it will help someone else.
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Donna Maria,
In such a saturated market as the handmade beauty business we can easily learn from each other and share ideas through your forum, newsletters, twitter posts, blogs etc. You get the picture. We are a supportive group and know that we are “stealing” ideas from the big companies and little guys too. Personally my goal is to provide customers with great products while enjoying a “successful” business. My congrats and best wishes go out to Gary Smith and his new venture. May there be many, many snazzy dressed men out there due to “Tete Cuvee”!!
Donna Maria,
In such a saturated market as the handmade beauty business we can easily learn from each other and share ideas through your forum, newsletters, twitter posts, blogs etc. You get the picture. We are a supportive group and know that we are “stealing” ideas from the big companies and little guys too. Personally my goal is to provide customers with great products while enjoying a “successful” business. My congrats and best wishes go out to Gary Smith and his new venture. May there be many, many snazzy dressed men out there due to “Tete Cuvee”!!
I can’t count the number of Indies I’ve been ‘stealing’ from in the past few months as I’ve been planning and developing own forthcoming Indie business. Today, I stole from Bob Ricca’s post over at Aweber regarding how to put together an effective welcome email. I think communication is such an important part of building and maintaining our relationships with our customers. After all, they don’t come back just because we have a good product, right? They come back because of the entire expeience.
I can’t count the number of Indies I’ve been ‘stealing’ from in the past few months as I’ve been planning and developing own forthcoming Indie business. Today, I stole from Bob Ricca’s post over at Aweber regarding how to put together an effective welcome email. I think communication is such an important part of building and maintaining our relationships with our customers. After all, they don’t come back just because we have a good product, right? They come back because of the entire expeience.
I wish Gary much success with Tete Cuvee. I get my inspiration from everywhere but mostly from customers who interact with me when I’m vending at my local Farmers Market. They have given some great feedback. One Soapmaker who inspires me is Cathy Winsby on FaceBook. She makes such pretty soaps and really gets my brain to move in a more creative direction.
I wish Gary much success with Tete Cuvee. I get my inspiration from everywhere but mostly from customers who interact with me when I’m vending at my local Farmers Market. They have given some great feedback. One Soapmaker who inspires me is Cathy Winsby on FaceBook. She makes such pretty soaps and really gets my brain to move in a more creative direction.
Hello dM and all.
I stole this about 2 months ago from 2 other business owners in my town. They began Meetup groups specific for their own businesses and were really successful at using this as a fun networking and marketing opportunity for their businesses. Meetup offers several easy ways to promote your groups meetings.
I have even joined Meetup groups in NYC since that is where I am from and visit on a regular basis. These are really exciting and unique ways to network especially for women in business.
So, last month I decided to start my own.
Anyone interested go to http://www.Meetup.com
and search for groups in your own town to join or start your own group based on your business or interest.
Sandra
Hello dM and all.
I stole this about 2 months ago from 2 other business owners in my town. They began Meetup groups specific for their own businesses and were really successful at using this as a fun networking and marketing opportunity for their businesses. Meetup offers several easy ways to promote your groups meetings.
I have even joined Meetup groups in NYC since that is where I am from and visit on a regular basis. These are really exciting and unique ways to network especially for women in business.
So, last month I decided to start my own.
Anyone interested go to http://www.Meetup.com
and search for groups in your own town to join or start your own group based on your business or interest.
Sandra
I just got a great idea from another business owner yesterday to check and see if our small remodel could be partially deducted since we did the remodel of the area we use for our home office. I hadn’t even thought of that! So, I graciously thanked him and promptly stole that idea and turned it over to my accountant.
I just got a great idea from another business owner yesterday to check and see if our small remodel could be partially deducted since we did the remodel of the area we use for our home office. I hadn’t even thought of that! So, I graciously thanked him and promptly stole that idea and turned it over to my accountant.