Making And Maintaining A Successful Business

Yesterday on Smashing the Plateau, Jeff Mehl discussed his three principles of success and how they’ve helped him in building multiple businesses.

Here are some of his biggest influences:

1) Michael Gerber

The first edition of The E-Myth came out early in my business career, and made it clear to me that there was much more to running a business then just doing the work.  His principles have become the core of how I view business, particularly when working with startups.

2) Philip Mehl, CPA

As a parent, a major goal is to see your children succeed.  As a CPA, my son Philip has done just that.  He has become my most trusted business advisor.  He’s pushed me into carefully monitoring and managing the various metrics that are critical in indicating the success and profitability of a business, as well as encouraging risk-taking when based on reliable data.  I owe much of where Daybreak is to the value of his advice.

3) Alex Panos

Early in my life this Christian gentleman showed me the importance of grace and patience when dealing with others.  And as business owners, we all know that our patience is constantly under attack, so his mentoring has served me well!

4) Robert K. Greenleaf

Mr. Greenleaf’s concept of “Servant-Leadership” (as originally described in the New Testament) has proven to be an outstanding model for managing and working with employees over the years.  Using this model has improved my employee retention and job satisfaction.

5) Rosalie Mehl

My mother was an entrepreneur long before business ownership by women was popular or encouraged.  As a young child I remember listening to her discussing problems with her banker and engaged in a legal battle with her city government over zoning that threatened her business. I remember her dealing with disputes with her vendors, and not showing fear where, in hindsight, I knew there was fear.  Because of her, I’m sure I came away with a subconscious desire to control my own destiny through business ownership.