Besides Time, What Are You Lacking to Build a Successful Business?
(Cover photo: Empty shelves in a store by Grok 2)
Hi everyone,
Besides Time, What Are You Lacking to Build a Successful Business?
I'll go first, I could say many things: money, a team, products, authority, credibility, knowledge, mentoring...etc.
But what I consider myself to be lacking for a very short time is one of two things.
A Better Story or good/great strategies.
With those 2 things I can accomplish anything.
“Improvise, adapt, overcome” is an unofficial slogan among the U.S. Marines made popular by Clint Eastwood's character Sergeant Thomas Highway in the movie Heartbreak Ridge. Being faced with a challenge is often the time when people are most inventive and when ingenuity and creativity thrive.
Rather than look for excuses, let's look for solutions.
As the cover photo suggests, if we open a store, but have no products to sell we aren't going to be very successful.
Sometimes we have to start small and build from there.
If we try to do too much too soon we are just undermining ourselves.
A real life example of this is in the early 1990's, I started installing Carpet and Ceramic Tile as an independent installer. I learned this trade from my father.
After awhile, I was able to purchase the Carpet Pad for under the Carpet and when I made estimates to potential customers, I was able to offer to sell them the carpet pad as well, but I was ok if they purchased pad from the store. That generated additional sales and income for me.
Later, I was able to acquire a limited selection of carpet samples and I began to offer the carpet, carpet pad & labor.
In 1996, I then opened a very small store with more carpet samples.
A year later, I moved to a larger building to expand and keep up with sales.
Now with time, I can only install so much in a year. At first, I raised my installation prices. I always had a Lifetime Guaranteed Workmanship included.
It finally reached a point where I needed to hire other Installers who were at the top of their game. After all, my reputation was still on the line. Eventually, I no longer installed, but had all that work subcontracted.
Then it was time to move to a larger community and a larger store.
This is a great example of building a business.
Unfortunately, Sept 11, 2001 the U.S. was attacked by terrorists. It really shook up Americans and they were unsure of what would happen next.
Sales died and this through January was the busiest sales time of the year for flooring. I spent $3000 in October on advertising and did not get $1 back.
On March 1st, 2002. We closed our business due to the excessive debt and no business.
Here's where diversification comes in. :-)
Even though I worked up to 100 hours a week on my flooring business, I had another part time business.
Instead of coming home and sitting in front of the TV, I went on my PC and sold new and used books and on Dec 2000, I published my 1st reprint, a book originally published in 1930.
So once the flooring business was gone, I devoted myself full time to building my book and later ebook publishing business.
The rest as they say is history.
Today I have 1583 book and ebook titles in print and counting.
I do Affiliate Marketing. I am going to monetize my Youtube channel. I offer Mindset Coaching and I have another major project that I am undertaking.
I don't have time for excuses.
Anything is Possible!
So again, Besides Time, What Are You Lacking to Build a Successful Business?
To Our Success!
Mel Waller
Recent Comments
43
Hey, Mel. A great question... thanks for asking!
However, none of us really have a lack of time. We all have the same amount of time as Elon Musk, Richard Branson, Warren Buffet etc (not to mention Mr Trump!).
What we lack, is what it takes to control the actions we choose. Most of which is in our minds.
I.e., If we're not achieving then we're probably not as good as others at deciding what we really want, figuring out how to get there, deciding our priorities and implementing them in an order that works well.
;-)
Richard
Thanks for sharing and clarifying Richard!
I guess I meant x amount of time is still going to take x amount of time. Normally we can't speed time up unless we use AI, hire help...etc.
Just published a post on Self Talk. :-)
Mel
I agree, Mel that AI can help us carry out some tasks much faster than without AI assistance and it's OK to play with AI (to me playing is not necessarily the same as practice) if that's what turns us on. That's great, so long as we are doing it deliberately and choosing carefully.
I'm pretty sure that you do that.
;-)
Richard
Mel, this is such an inspiring story!
Your journey proves that staying adaptable and never giving up leads to success. I really admire how you prioritize finding solutions over dwelling on obstacles.
For me, I'm still working on sharpening my strategy and storytelling.
There's always room to grow.
Best,
Boris
For me (and probably others) what I’m missing most the TRAFFIC.
Targeted, Qualified Authentic TRAFFIC.
My belief is that you can have the world’s best product of service, at the perfect price point, affordable by anyone, and if you do not have TRAFFIC with eyeballs to see your offers, you will not make even one sale.
Are there any Traffic Co-ops active here in our Wealthy Affiliate Community?
Thanks for sharing Brad!
So you need to learn the best way or multiple ways of getting Targeted, Qualified Authentic TRAFFIC.
Knowing what you need is half the battle.
Mel
There might be some WA training related to that or you could even post the ? in the Ask a Question post.
Mel
Hi Mel,
Thanks for sharing your inspiring journey! Your story highlights how resilience, adaptability, and diversification can drive long-term success. What resonated with me most is how you turned setbacks into opportunities.
For me, what I lack beyond time is better systems and scaling without losing authenticity. It’s easy to get caught up in growth without refining processes, but like you showed with your gradual expansion from carpet pads to a full store, sustainable success comes from small, strategic steps.
Your point on diversification is key. I’ve learned that firsthand as I shifted from truck driving to affiliate marketing and book publishing. Having multiple streams of income offers both stability and creative freedom.
Thanks for opening this discussion—your story is a great reminder that when one path closes, another opens.
To continued growth and success!
Shawn Thomas
Thanks for sharing Shawn!
Yes, diversification is very important. People lose their job for whatever reason and they are not prepared at all.
Mel
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Absolutely love this Mel. You nailed it no time for excuses. I occasionally have melt downs self pity that things not going well , but I try not to let that be norm. I am a big advocate of create your success , no matter what obstacles get in your way move past them and learn from them. Positive Vibes
Thanks for sharing Mollie!
Mel