It's never a bad time to take stock of all the things in your life that help you manage your small business every day. There may be no better time than now to take a break and thank everyone who brought you to where you are today with your small business – and just as much.
Small Business Trends spoke with Josh Wiesman, co-founder and CEO of Smilo. Wiesman ends his first year in business with Smilo. His company sells juvenile products directly to consumers.
In the spirit of the season, he reached out to Small Business Trends to share the things for which he is most grateful after enduring the first year in business.
Small business owners should be grateful
Here are eight things that Wiesman says he's grateful for this year as he turns to a second year in business.
Having an impact
Entrepreneurs have an impact on the lives of many people, not just their customers and employees. For example, many entrepreneurs should be grateful to be able to donate new wealth to local charities and help communities. Others can become mentors and make an impact this way.
Some, like Wiesman, are grateful for the good that their specific products do.
"Our anti-colic bottle can be the first successful food of a family with its newborn," he says. "Our pacifier can lead to soothing hours of calm that allow Mom and Dad to sleep at last.This is so motivating."
Mobile Devices
Any e-commerce company relies on the Internet and mobile devices to access and have discussions with customers and even complete transactions. These startups owners should be grateful for all the hardware and software that makes mobile devices and tablets that they use to make money work.
Free trials
Startups need space to make their own mistakes and fix what's wrong. Being able to offer a free trial allows entrepreneurs to tinker with their product without spending a lot.
"The free trial period for software and services has been a great way for us to make wise choices, save money and find the product or service which suits us best, "says Wiesman. "Startups need to be smart with their cash and resources."
Other products and brands
Pioneers in any industry forge a path that they act as mentors or simply by being inspired with their own successes. Entrepreneurs can be grateful to the founders and brands that preceded them and the lessons they can learn from them.
Errors
Small businesses must be grateful for the mistakes they make. No matter what company or industry you are in, learning mistakes is the fastest way to improve. Mistakes help you discover unrealistic expectations and incorrect assumptions, things you need to address in the early stages of your business.
Your team
Taking the time to look at the big picture means being grateful for the team that helps you run your business. Wiesman says that he understands that there is a wide range of people with a variety of talents that make up any good small business team.
"I have incredible co-founders, employees, and business partners (including investors) with whom I work every day and with whom I've worked since Smilo's founding. I am very grateful for all these relationships, "he says.
Your customers
Your customers are much more than the people who buy your products or services. They can also be valuable relationships that help your business grow if you listen to them. Being grateful to customers can mean interacting with them and keeping social media lines open.
Your independence
You should be grateful for the freedom you have to follow your own path as a startup owner. And that includes more than the freedom to be yours. With all the modern innovations that are available to you today, you can run a business anywhere in the world or directly at home.
Startup owners today should be grateful to be able to work across time zones and international borders to make their business successful.
Image: Smilo