The Freestyle Entrepreneur

Depot Street Memories The Lawler Stories By Bill Sheridan “This book is comprised of a number of essays written at various stages of my life. It does not really have a beginning or an end. At some point I will stop writing. That will be your cue to stop reading.”—Bill Sheridan That’s Bill Sheridan’s opening [...]

If you are working harder and feeling the pressure more than ever, you are not alone.  With the economy looking less than swell, most of us are working harder and harder just to keep up.  So, when we head for home, it’s a good idea to leave your work behind you.  The trick is to [...]

I’m just kidding about those lazy, hazy days.  If you’re like most SBOs and mangers, you will be running at a full gallop this summer.  However, when you do get some free time, here are some gotta-read books for lying out in the sun, relaxing in bed before you snap off the light, or (come [...]

Ask almost any biz owner, “What’s your top competitive advantage?” and you’ll most likely get a blank stare back in reply.  Worse, you might hear, “Great prices!” or “Super customer service!” or “Top quality products!”  In other words … not a clue. If that sounds like you, don’t feel bad.  Competitive advantage is one of [...]

When you do a favor for employees, customers, or even competitors, do it and then drop it.  Never bring it up again.  If you remind them of what you have done for them, they will eventually begin to dislike and even despise you.  That’s human nature.  If they want to bring it up, that’s fine, [...]

Want to have fun, benefit the community and build your business … all at the same time?  Get involved.  Volunteer.  Seriously.  No, this isn’t some touchy-feely community service announcement.  I’m a hard-nosed businessman.  But I also love to get away and relax every now and then and socialize, forgetting about business.  Plus, I love my little community [...]

We love to hear stories about small businesses that take off like a rocket, enjoying thousand-percent growth.  That’s all well and good, but it’s not the norm.  I appreciate wild-catters who bring in jumbo contracts and go from rags to riches in four months or less.  However, I have to confess that I’m not one [...]