Customer Service: If you do not have impeccable customer service in an industry that interacts with people, then you are doomed. Coming from the perspective of both the consumer as well as the proprietor it is imperative that the standard to which people who pay money to patron your establishment are treated with the utmost care. This is by no means suggesting that you bend to the wishes/demands of the public, however, know that any slip away from professional, fair, and courteous could spell disaster. One of the main reasons it is so important to the livelihood of a business is because it is less expensive to retain customers that it is to acquire new ones. In addition, it minimizes negative reviews of the company and allows for the opportunity to get to know your community through these patrons. Developing solid professional relationships with your client will encourage their loyalty. DIY (Do it Yourself) Skills: These are MANDITORY. They will make you a better business owner or employee for your labors of love. Yes. Image matters A LOT, but it doesn’t mean that you need to compromise style while on a budget. There are multitudes of ways to save a penny or two by learning programs like Microsoft Word, Excell, Powerpoint, etc. For example, instead of ordering pre-printed envelopes for your company. Save plenty and learn how to print them from the computer or make your own labels. The same goes for office forms. Most forms can be recreated via Microsoft Publisher and can then be printed off instead of spending hundreds at the printing companies. Mainly the key is to utilize your office supplies so that you end up saving for the bigger expenses. I realize that these are fairly commonplace practices, but I always feel that the basics are the best to remember and revisit. They often hold keys to hidden successes.