I was about 5 years into building my first real business – other than a couple of ventures I tried as a teenager – and I was chatting with a friend who was formerly an accountant, but was off on long term disability with a debilitating illness, and she asked me a question that changed my business.

...

For many small business owners, the work they do is a passion, a heart project. They recognize they need to make money but it is not their primary priority. And while that is noble and probably very energizing on a day to day basis, the truth is that running a business has inherent risks. And smart ...

The late Jim Rohn, entrepreneur and motivational speaker, once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

He was talking about your circles of influence. In many cases, the difference between success and failure can come down to who you know. People often say t...