I’ve learned from personal experience that you can grow a successful and profitable business part-time or full-time, but not “some-time.” To make it on your own, you must be mentally and financially committed to the success and profitability of your business. So, if your business is not as successful as you’d like it to be, ask yourself these questions:

• Am I serious about succeeding?
• Do I have the desire, passion and determination to grow and sustain a moneymaking business?
• Do I feel as if I am dabbling in my business?
• Do I have the mindset of a successful business owner?
• Am I treating my business as if it were a hobby?

Study your answers carefully. Listen to what your instincts and emotions are telling you. Are you giving yourself permission to succeed? The key to success in business is to take yourself and your business seriously.

Here are Nine C’s of Success for developing, growing and maintaining a successful business and an entrepreneurial mindset. The more you implement these Nine C’s—emotionally and physically—the more successful and profitable your business will become.

1. Be Consist.

Working your business consistently means setting goals, developing a viable plan of action and working the plan regularly. Consistency in business equals reliability, and reliability is an essential element for establishing and maintaining customer loyalty.

2. Make a Commitment.

The emotional, financial and physical commitment you make to yourself and your business can mean the difference between thriving and failing. Either you are committed or you are just playing. Commitment is an internal conviction that says, “I will not quit before payday.”

3. Cultivate Connections.

It’s not what you know, but whom you know. In business your professional connections can save time, energy and money. Referrals from past customers/clients, fellow business owners, and even friends and family, can give your business the added exposure and revenue it needs to succeed. Cultivate your professional connections with loving care. And remember—it’s not just what your connections can do for you, but what you can do for them as well.

4. Concentrate!

Focus your business-building energy on the things that are important to growing and maintaining a successful and profitable business. How you spend the important moneymaking hours of your day determines how successful and profitable your business becomes. Concentrate on keeping the important things important.

 

5. Radiate Confidence.

Build confidence in your business and yourself. Self-confidence is a powerful success tool that can help you stretch and grow beyond your comfort zone.

6. Hone Your Craft.

Learn the professional skills you’ll need to conduct business successfully. Make the time to learn about your industry, understand your target market and know your product better than anyone. Hone your business-building skills and knowledge until they become second nature to you.

 

7. Build Credibility.

Without credibility your business reputation suffers. Here is a business-building rule of thumb: Do what you say you are going to do and do it on time. Integrity is vital to a successful business. Deliver on your promises and exceed your customer’s expectations!

8. Stay Current.

Stay current with the trends in your industry and target market. Look, listen and analyze what is happening in your field, in the economy and in the lives of your target market. Stay on the cutting edge of what your customers need and want.

 

9. Nourish Your Customer/Client Base.

Your client/customer base is twofold, consisting of both current and future clients. Current clients are “gold,” so treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve. Keep them informed and interested in doing business with you by sending out a newsletter or writing a blog. Most importantly, nothing creates loyalty like great customer service. Future clients hold the key to sustaining a successful moneymaking business. Your day-to-day activities must include time to prospect for new clients.

Use the Nine “C’s” of Success as the basis for creating a business-building plan of action. Growing a successful business means knowing what you want and then having a practical and workable plan in place to make your personal and professional goals a reality.

Treat your enterprise like the moneymaking business you want it to be—not like a some-time hobby.

 

About the Author

Sharon Michaels is a business coach and the author of How to Give Yourself the Power to Succeed (EmPOWERing Publications, 1996). She produces and hosts the weekly radio show, Women Enjoying Success, interviewing and sharing the strategies of self-made successful women. Learn more at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sharon-michaels . Read Sharon’s blog,  http://www.sharonmichaels.com/powertosucceed/, check out her weekly Ezine, Unlimited Success for Women and visit her website at http://www.sharonmichaels.com