I have always dreamed of owning my own business ever since I was a kid. I have always tried to learn about the big picture of every business I was involved in-I wanted to know the why, not just the how. The why requires vision, a broad understanding and an ability to see the results far into the future.

If you want to have a great life or a great business, you must have a vision of what you want to be, do, have or look like. Refine that vision until it is crystal clear- clear enough that you can hear the customer say “I love your product”. Write it down or paint a picture of it and put it on your mirror, your bulletin board or someplace that you can’t help but see it every day, the more you see it the better. You might even try an Invision Mirror. Clarity is power.

I am a small business guy through and through and I think that everyone should have the experience of working in a small business so that they know what it means to be a big fish in a small pond. This is not for ego, but for meaning. In a small business every person counts and every person is crucial to the success of that business. Knowing your importance in the bigger picture brings meaning to what you do. I think too many people are stuck in corporate jobs in which they can’t really see their part in the bigger picture, sometimes they can’t even identify with the vision of the company and it is just a grind for a paycheck with no meaning. During my time in the corporate world, I saw first hand the negatives of corporate detachment, inefficiency and blurred vision, but the company had momentum and I think that is the only thing that keeps many big businesses going.

My wife and I have now owned our own business for five years and I left my corporate job nearly three years ago. In the last 18 months, I have started two new small businesses and I am having more fun than ever, but it is not without challenges. At one point about two years ago, my vision was to own multiple small businesses but I soon found myself with the businesses, but very little revenue from them. I never lacked passion, but I lacked clarity. In hindsight I think my vision should have been for multiple sources of plentiful income, but all things happen for a reason, so I am grateful to have refined my clarity even though it cost a lot of time and money to learn that lesson. That lesson is a valuable part of who I am.

So how does a small business gain that momentum to keep it going? Passion is the fuel for the fire of small business. As an owner or potential owner you have got to feel that passion and let it shine brightly for others to see. It is all about the energy that you put out.

I am an owner so that I can serve on a higher level- I want to create things, products, services, jobs and wealth too. I also want to serve as a positive example to others and make my customers happy with great products and service. When I look in the mirror every morning, I make it a point to look myself in the eye and have a little pep rally to make sure my attitude and my energy are fine tuned for the day ahead.

I am currently exhibiting at a trade show and I love the interaction with buyers and other exhibitors. Quite a few times in the last three days I have heard people say that they love our products. I love to hear that and it makes my passion burn brighter. I am actively working on my vision and my clarity for 2010. How about you?

Tom Milton