Small Business Success Stories

Creating a small business is a lot like baking a cake. But instead of flour and sprinkles, this recipe relies more on perseverance and determination. And wine. Overcoming struggles, improving the community, and rolling with the punches: these are the basic ingredients of small business success.

It can be difficult enough to try to do some good in the world. But when the desire to make a positive impact is combined with an entrepreneurial spirit, the cause-based business is born. Growing a business is always a challenge, so it's especially heartening when small business owners make the extra effort to put their energy and time into a good cause.

So you have a great small business idea but aren't sure how to turn it into a profitable company? This, all too often, is a problem many entrepreneurs face when they're just starting out. And as a local business owner, it can be intimidating trying to compete with other businesses similar to yours who are not only already popular, but profitable.

Does your current retail marketing plan turn customers into loyal, repeat buyers, while providing you with a steady stream of new prospective customers? If not, it's time for you to give it a major overhaul. Your marketing plan is an integral part of your local business' success, and creative, out-of-the-box marketing ideas are best to grab the attention of your consumers.

"As we believe, we behave," says Karen Gridley, a local business owner known as "The Excuse Removal Expert. ™" Through workshops and one-on-one sessions, Karen does exactly what her trademarked name suggests: She removes her clients' excuses as to why they're unmotivated, unfocused, and unable to achieve their goals.

For most small business owners, the question isn't, "What products should I make?" but rather, "How do I get my products out there?" In today's saturated market, it takes more than simply listing your products online to get noticed, and effective brand management should be utilized to make your products stand out.

Chris Zane is in the experience business. Whether it's selling bikes in his Connecticut store or filling orders for corporate rewards programs, he knows a successful business is about more than just selling stuff. Zane, 46, got his start at age 12 fixing bikes in his parents' East Haven, Connecticut, garage.

On a cold night in 2010, Indiana University senior Derek Pacqué tucked his coat into a dark corner of a nightclub instead of wearing it on the dance floor. When he went to retrieve it later, it was gone. Pacqué, an entrepreneurship student, never did find his coat.

Longtime friends Joe Epstein and Nate Hindman have had their share of great travel experiences together. The 27-year olds have journeyed to South America, Montreal, the Dominican Republic and the West Coast, just to name a few. And now, the New York-based journalists are hitting the road once again.

Waiting for someone else to create a 'buy local' campaign for your community is like waiting for water to boil. It's like the water can sense your impatience. Instead of waiting for someone to come along and boost support for you and your fellow small business owners, why not take it upon yourself to get the ball rolling?

Special Announcement: Scott's Marketplace will be holding monthly cash mobs at different small businesses throughout the Valley, and Here On The Corner will be the site of our next one! RSVP and join us on Thursday, August 29th from 5pm - 8pm (map) to support a great local business.

There's a moment of realization that comes over every small business owner when the thought of turning a hobby into a profession seems less like a crazy notion and more like a tangible idea. For Jason Schadewalt, that moment arrived when he realized that he could no longer depend on his job to provide for his family.

Owning a dog isn't all games of catch and talking trash about cats. Just ask Jeanie Eischens, owner of Dog Cheap Sleeps, whose adorable, and quite large, Great Danes pushed her to create a dog bed that could withstand the wear and tear of bigger breeds.

Special announcement: Scott's Marketplace will be celebrating the grand reopening of Two Plates Full at their new location by holding a Ladies' Day Out cash mob! RSVP and join us on Saturday, October 19th from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. ( map) to support a great local business.

What's more mortifying than buying lingerie for yourself or your partner at the store with everyone watching (and judging) you? Not a whole lot. But it was this nightmare scenario that brought two entrepreneurs together to create a unique kind of company.

Starting a small business seemed like a natural idea to Ryan Wendland, who in 2007 first started to seriously consider taking his dream to the next level. "I've actually wanted to own my own business for quite a while. I just didn't know exactly what I wanted to do," he said.

What started as a company-wide baking contest soon evolved into a path to entrepreneurship for Arizona-based baker, Tricia Medina. Every so often, Tricia's company holds baking contests that require the use of a certain special ingredient. During October of last year, that ingredient was a marshmallow.

Chris Zane is in the experience business. Whether it's selling bikes in his Connecticut store or filling orders for corporate rewards programs, he knows a successful business is about more than just selling stuff. Zane, 46, got his start at age 12 fixing bikes in his parents' East Haven, Connecticut, garage.

How's this for a great story: it's 1974 in Tempe, AZ, and a few elementary school volunteers from nearby Arizona State University are sitting on the steps of the school, chatting with the teachers about their ideal jobs and, almost inevitably, the idea for a bookstore arises.

Everyone remembers their first big failure. The idea you believed in so much that it was a shock when others didn't share in your vision. That kind of failure leaves a mark, and can be very hard to move past.

Special Announcement: We're sponsoring the upcoming Chic & Unique Holiday Trunk Show at Do Me A Favor! Come out to enjoy gourmet food & drinks, hourly giveaways, and unique products from local businesses. RSVP here, and join us this Friday, November 22 from 10am to 5pm for a fun holiday event!