The Essential Ingredients for Business Success.

keys to a success

Did you know that traditional ice cream only requires four key ingredients to make? You need ice, milk, heavy cream, and salt. These foundational components are what create the delicious treat we all love. While you can swap any of these ingredients for alternatives, the end result won’t be true ice cream. Of course, you can add flavors like sugar, vanilla, or even brownies, but those extras enhance rather than define the base recipe.

Enjoying Miami’s most popular local ice cream, Azucar.

Similarly, when it comes to succeeding in the business world, there are essential ingredients that you must combine just right. While opinions vary widely on what those ingredients are, I’ve identified four key elements that are crucial for achieving success:

1. Product: First and foremost, you need a product or service that people are willing to pay for. This involves thorough market research to ensure your offering meets a genuine need or solves a problem. Your product should be unique or provide added value that distinguishes it from competitors. Consider the features, benefits, and emotional connections that your product creates for customers. It’s essential to continuously gather feedback and refine your product based on customer experiences and market demands.

2. Awareness: Having a great product is only part of the equation; you also need to ensure that potential customers know about it. This involves developing a marketing strategy that effectively communicates the value of your product. Utilize various channels, such as social media, email marketing, and content marketing, to raise awareness. Engaging storytelling, eye-catching visuals, and clear messaging can capture your target audience’s attention. Remember, it’s not just about shouting your message into the void; it’s about creating connections and building relationships with your audience.

3. Delivery: It’s not enough to just have a product; you must also be able to deliver it effectively. This includes managing logistics, order fulfillment, and customer service. Evaluate your distribution channels to ensure that customers receive your product in a timely and efficient manner. Good customer service is equally crucial—responding to inquiries, resolving issues, and creating a seamless purchasing experience can build trust and encourage repeat business. Remember, the delivery process is an extension of your brand, so aim for consistency and reliability at every touchpoint.

4. Growth Mindset: Finally, a consistent discipline to seek improvement in all aspects of your business is vital. Embracing a growth mindset allows you to adapt to changes, learn from experiences, and continue evolving. This means being open to feedback, willing to take calculated risks, and continuously seeking opportunities for professional development. Encourage a culture of learning within your team, where failures are seen as stepping stones to success rather than setbacks. Regularly assess your strategies and be willing to pivot when necessary to stay aligned with your goals.

Flowers in full bloom at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

Just like making ice cream, finding the right combination of these ingredients is key to your business’s success. Each element plays a critical role in creating a thriving enterprise, and neglecting any one of them can leave you feeling unfulfilled, much like a sundae without the ice cream!

At Valor Stance, we understand the challenges entrepreneurs face in navigating their business journeys. If you’re ready to mix these essential ingredients and create your recipe for success, I invite you to schedule an appointment with me today. Together, we can identify your unique ingredients for success and develop a plan that propels your business forward.

Let’s turn your business growth into reality—one scoop at a time!

Rediscovering Joy: Reflections After Watching IF

Family fishing in East TN.

I just finished watching the movie IF, and it really got me thinking. Are there any films that resonate deeply with you and bring things to the surface? For me, IF captures the innocence of childhood and the universal desire to be loved and seen. It’s a reflective experience that prompts me to examine my own life and the person I want to be.

Over the years, I’ve dedicated myself to helping others become the best versions of themselves. This journey has taught me discipline and sacrifice, and I’ve had some phenomenal adventures along the way. But watching this movie reminded me that there’s another level I need to reach—a level of love for my wife and kids that goes beyond just being their provider.

Speaking at a Sales Leader Summit that I designed and set up for 60 entrepreneurs from around the United States.

I’ve realized I’ve been so focused on adult responsibilities that I’ve pushed aside the joy that comes from truly engaging with my family. There’s always a justification for being an adult—it’s my duty as a father. But that responsibility shouldn’t overshadow the importance of being a dad and a husband.

IF hit home for me in this way: day by day, week by week, year by year, I grow older, but my kids are still children (for now). They deserve to experience the joy of childhood fully. It’s a reminder to embrace the moments we have with them, to laugh, play, and be present.

The love that a parent has for their children knows no bounds.

As we navigate the challenges of adulthood, let’s not forget to cultivate the joy that comes from being fully engaged with our loved ones. Life is fleeting, and those innocent moments with our children are the ones we’ll cherish forever.

To truly manage our time and ensure we’re making room for what matters, consider scheduling a call with me today. Together, we can work through strategies to balance your responsibilities while embracing the joy in your life. Let’s find that equilibrium, so you can be the spouse and parent your family deserves.

What Happens When Life Squeezes You?

A powerful sermon from a pastor included a simple but profound illustration. He held up three bottles, and proceeded to fill each one with a different substance: one with clear water, another with a red liquid, and the last with a muddy mixture. As he poured each one, he placed them on a table for all to see. Then, he began to squeeze each bottle one by one, saying, “When life is squeezing during times of stress and adversity, what you are filled with will come out. What are you filled with?”

This striking imagery stayed with me, but the pastor wasn’t talking about what we consume physically. He was delving deeper into what we allow to shape our minds and souls. In our waking hours, we absorb an unquantifiable amount of information through our eyes and ears—what we read, see, watch, and hear.

This information has a profound impact on our mental health. Psychology Today author, Austin Perlmutter M.D., writes:

This matters, because research shows us that what we see on the news can significantly impact our mental health. While negative news may influence our thinking through multiple mechanisms, one important consideration is how it interfaces with our cognitive biases, keeping our focus on everything that’s going wrong while blinding us to all the good things around us.

Have you ever taken inventory of this mental intake? If you try it today or tomorrow, you might be surprised by the results.

Step 1: Define Your Character

Start by defining the character of the person you aspire to be. What do you want your friends and family to say about you? Visualize the qualities and values you wish to embody. This clarity will guide your choices and help you focus on what truly matters.

Step 2: Take Inventory

Next, it’s time to take inventory of what’s entering your mind daily. Consider these questions:

• What are the social media posts I just saw?

• What ads am I encountering on social media?

• What are the songs I’m listening to about?

• What topics do my favorite podcasts cover?

• What news articles have I read or listened to?

• What are the storylines of the shows or movies I’m watching?

• What commercials do I see while watching those shows?

• What book am I currently reading, and what is it about?

• What billboards do I pass while driving?

Keep track of your answers over a day or two. It might feel exhausting, but it’s enlightening.

Step 3: Categorize as Positive or Negative

After taking inventory, categorize each item as positive or negative. Reflect on how these influences might be shaping your thoughts and emotions. Over time, these images and voices can significantly impact our physical and mental well-being, often in ways we don’t realize.

Remember, when life squeezes you, what comes out reflects what you’ve been filling yourself with. Make sure it’s something that aligns with the character you want to portray. By being intentional about the information and influences you allow into your life, you can better prepare for life’s inevitable challenges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, taking the time to assess what fills your mind can have a profound impact on your character and resilience. The world is full of distractions and negativity, but you have the power to choose what you let in. By consciously selecting positive influences and surrounding yourself with uplifting content, you can cultivate a mindset that shines through even in the toughest of times. So, take a moment to reflect on what you’re filling yourself with—your future self will thank you for it.

When Life Leaks: Choosing Action Over Worry

My water heater has a leak. Is there ever a good time to say that? Absolutely not! Yet, as I sit here writing this, I can confidently say that now is particularly inconvenient. The situation feels overwhelming, and I have a choice to make about how to respond.

I could easily wallow in the negativity of it all. It's justified to think about how this is bad timing or to stress about the costs I’d rather not incur. The leak has gone from a tiny trickle to a steady stream, and I can’t help but envision coming home to a flooded floor. These thoughts are valid but ultimately unhelpful. They do nothing to resolve the situation and only serve to increase my frustration.

But what if I choose differently? Instead of fixating on the problem, I can focus on what I’m doing to solve it. Here’s what I’ve done so far:

1. I borrowed a friend’s shop vac to suck up the water accumulating in the catch pan.

2. I identified where the leak was coming from.

3. I called my friend John, a former water heater sales representative, to get expert help. His experience provided me with valuable insights into the leak’s location and potential solutions.

4. John recommended a high-quality tankless water heater brand for me, specifically Rheem.

5. I reached out to multiple local companies for quotes to compare prices.

Currently the water heater leak is only a trickle.

This situation isn’t just about a water heater; it illustrates a larger experience. Life throws challenges at us regularly, and how we choose to handle them matters. Too often, we fall into a habit of fixating on the negative, dwelling on our problems, and amplifying our worries. That cycle leads to stagnation, not improvement.

What does lead to progress? Taking deliberate action. I sought guidance from someone knowledgeable in the field I needed help with. Sure, I could have researched water heaters extensively and eventually become an expert myself, but I’d rather not spend my time that way. Instead, I welcomed the shortcut that John’s advice provided.

Focusing on solutions opens up a world of possibilities. By shifting my mindset from problem-centered thinking to action-oriented steps, I’ve not only addressed the immediate issue but also empowered myself to tackle future challenges. When we concentrate on solutions, we create momentum that propels us forward rather than getting stuck in the quagmire of negativity. This proactive approach can transform how we handle both small and significant obstacles in our lives and businesses.

Do you know anyone who has unknowingly shifted their focus to the negative? If you’re feeling stuck in a similar mindset, let’s shift gears together. Contact me today, and let’s work on finding solutions that propel you forward!

Unlocking Value: The Key to Meaningful Sales

Notice the hand crafted necklace on me :). 

Growing up, I often dismissed family heirlooms that had been passed down through generations. An old knife or watch seemed, in my youthful eyes, to be inferior to shiny new items available at the store. “Why would anyone want an antique?” I’d think, not realizing the deeper significance they held. But everything changed when I became a dad.

As my daughters turned three, their creative spirits burst forth in an explosion of drawings. Every day, the kitchen table would become a gallery of their artwork. Of course, most of those drawings made their way into the recycle bin by nightfall, carefully hidden away so my daughters wouldn’t notice. Yet, among the piles, there were always a few pieces that tugged at my heartstrings—those innocent attempts to capture the love they felt for our family. It was those artworks that I found myself resisting the urge to discard. They transformed into priceless treasures, their value measured not in materials but in sentiment and love.

To the right person, even a 6 year old work of art can become a keepsake.

This shift in perspective taught me a vital lesson about selling: often, we get bogged down in defending our prices instead of highlighting the value behind our products. When we encounter objections, we typically find ourselves in a defensive position, justifying the cost compared to competitors or the market. We fall into the trap of “feel, felt, found” and start explaining inflation or breaking down the price per day. But let’s pause for a moment.

What makes a dad like me proudly wear a tacky handmade necklace crafted by his daughters at a corporate event, even in front of hundreds of people? It’s the value of that necklace—the story behind it. It’s knowing the effort, creativity, and love poured into its creation. This sentiment drives my willingness to pay a premium for products like Nisolo shoes or Golden Goose sneakers.

Take Nisolo, for example. This brand doesn’t just sell shoes; they promote a story of ethical craftsmanship. Each pair represents the dedication of artisans who pour their skills and passion into their work. It’s not just about a product; it’s about the impact they make on the communities they serve, the sustainable practices they uphold, and the lives they touch. When you wear Nisolo shoes, you wear a piece of that story—a story of value that transcends the mere cost.

Similarly, Golden Goose sneakers carry a unique narrative. While many might see their scuffed exterior as a flaw, those marks tell a tale of authenticity and individuality. They remind us that perfection isn’t the goal; it’s about embracing the journey and the character that comes with it. That’s the value we buy into—not just a pair of shoes, but a lifestyle that celebrates creativity, uniqueness, and the stories behind them. Personally, I bought a pair for my wife and I because we world schooled (home schooling while living in a foreign country) our daughters in Italy and we wanted a functional souvenir.

Celebrating my wife’s birthday as she wears her new Golden Goose shoes. View from our home in Castro, Italy.

So, how do we apply this understanding to our own businesses? Instead of focusing solely on price, let’s emphasize the stories behind our products. Share the passion that drives your craft, the quality that sets you apart, and the connections you foster with your customers. These narratives create emotional bonds and help customers see beyond the cost.

If you’re a struggling small business owner, consider this your nudge to focus on value. If you want to role play or dive deeper, reach out to me and let’s explore how you can shift your selling strategy to highlight the stories and values that make your offerings unique. Remember, it’s not just about what you sell; it’s about the heart and soul behind it. When you showcase that, you’ll find that price becomes secondary to the meaningful connections you create.

Embracing the Struggle: A Lesson from Target Practice

Target practice at Midwest Shooting Center in Sylvania, OH

Not long ago, I stepped out of my comfort zone once again, taking on a new challenge: target practice. Now, I’m known for diving headfirst into different activities, which is exciting—until I hit that inevitable wall of confusion or failure. If I’m being honest, my first instinct is often to quit when things don’t go my way.

In this case, I signed up for a class focused on proper handling and technique, eager to improve. But when I first stepped up to the range, I quickly realized I was way off target—literally and figuratively. It was discouraging, especially since my wife was hitting bullseyes like it was second nature. I found myself comparing my struggles to her and her father, a seasoned expert with decades of experience. Talk about a confidence blow!

But here’s where it gets interesting: instead of throwing in the towel, I decided to stick with it. Something shifted during my second practice session, around the 50-round mark. I found myself becoming more comfortable, even telling myself, “You’re now keeping your eyes open when you fire.” It sounds simple, but that little shift made all the difference.

With each shot, I started hitting the target more consistently. I realized that practice wasn’t just about aiming and firing; it was about learning, adapting, and pushing through the awkward stages of improvement. It made me reflect: what other areas in life or business could we conquer if we approached them with the same persistence?

This experience brought to mind the struggles many small business owners face. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged when things don’t go according to plan. You might compare yourself to others who seem to have it all figured out, just like I did at the shooting range. But remember, every expert was once a beginner.

If you’re in a similar boat—struggling with your business and feeling like you’re missing the mark—consider this your call to action. Embrace the learning curve. Schedule an appointment today to explore new strategies and find your target. Let’s figure out together how to transform your struggles into stepping stones for success.

After all, every time you miss, you’re one step closer to hitting your goal. Don’t let fear of failure hold you back. Take that shot!