You know I have been thinking a lot about what our country is going through and how it has affected business; it is harder today than ever before. Our company has felt the effects of this. When people tend to buy less, it shows up.

What do we do? Well I have pledged to our employees that I’m not laying anyone off, as these fine people have made us what we are. We have, however, had to tighten spending and also re-evaluate our needs versus wants…

We have had to look at all aspects of the business and make some tough decisions. For example, we stopped our cleaning service and are having an employee clean bathrooms. I have also taken out equity in my building to help with cash flows. Those are two extremes…

If you are a business owner, remember this: we must make sacrifices during this time. Be careful not to think, “well if I lay a few people off, I can make it.” Use that option only as a last resort. These people need jobs. If we can make some adjustments and keep them, they will in turn be very thankful to you. And remember, thankful people are productive people.

Too many business owners are only concerned with bottom lines, and forget about sacrifice. If we are willing to sacrifice for others, it will come back to us in more ways than you can ever imagine. I believe we will make it; our country and its people will get through this difficult time, but we have to start thinking and being a little more positive—because it’s contagious.

Our business and our success are built on three principles. I would like to share these principles with you, because I strongly believe they’ll help you achieve success in your own business.

1. You have to be able to take care of your customer and make money doing so.
2. You have to have good product.
3. You must have excellent customer service. Customer service means, simply, taking care of your customers’ needs, whatever they may be. For us, we are here to fulfill your photoresist film and sandcarving equipment needs; we’ll get you what you want, when you want it.

I believe we perform well on all three principles, but I know definitively that we have excellent customer service. I also know that if you incorporate these three principles in your business and work hard, I guarantee you, you will be successful.