What tips do you have for someone starting out with a small business?

• First, operate with complete honesty and integrity to yourself and your industry. Let this become your way of life remembering that you become like the people you are around. 
• Second, you run your business, not your neighbors…you are the boss of your four walls, and what goes on within them is your responsibility. 
• Third, observe what is working for others and what isn’t. Open your eyes and ears to what is going on around you. 
• Fourth, learn to listen. When you are talking, you are only learning what you think you already know, but when you listen, you may be surprised at what others know. 

It is imperative for both small and larger stores to make a number of adjustments to their business in order to be more competitive in the marketplace in the future. 

   —A-1 Awards