Today while out a lunch I witnessed the perfect reminder for the power of “enthusiasm” Small business owners and entrepreneurs often over look the importance of this under used tool in the business owners tool belt. Enthusiasm is powerful and infectious and when it is genuinely harvested it has the ability to transform any experience. No mater what your business is, what venture you are operating or what start up you are pitching let enthusiasm guide your path. Harness the power of enthusiasm and  your positive radiance will surely kick start, revive, or drive your business.

So what has spawned my sudden enthusiasm for well…enthusiasm! Willy the owner and operator of a small hot dog shop in North Hollywood called Vicious Dogs. Willy has enough enthusiasm for all of us. He runs his small hot dog restaurant with passion and pride and he displays his enthusiasm at every turn.

From the moment you walk into Vicious Dogs your are quickly greeted by a jovial “hello how can I help you today!” Quickly with out the slightest prompting he will pitch you the dogs off of his menu quicker than the reverend can spout the gospel. His great chrism is followed by a trite story “this is the dog that built this restaurant” as he displays like he is a man passionate about hot dogs but he is no huckster he is just a enthusiastic friend sitting behind a counter ready to give you the best hot dog in the world.

Now the hot dog was amazing but I have a feeling that he could have served a basic ketchup and mustard hot dog on white bread and you would have left there satisfied.

The reason for this is he didn’t limit his enthusiasm to cooking the hot dog routinely he walks through the restaurant thanking his patrons for eating at his restaurant and immediately gathering feedback on their experience. He is truly invested in his customers happiness and effortlessly he builds customer loyalty. His enthusiastic business approach didn’t stop there. As soon as the line in his restaurant disappeared he quickly strolled out side and with in minutes his upbeat conversation had lured five new customers right into the shop ready to try out his energetic hot dog creations.

So what can we learn from this? It doesn’t matter who you are or what your business is people are drawn to enthusiasm. The simple act of being enthusiastic about his hot dogs was enough to entice people to take a shot on his restaurant.

As small business owners and entrepreneurs we are always up against the big guys in the industry but one way they can never compete with the hands-on business owner is in the area of passion. Your passion and enthusiasm for what you do is a competitive advantage that can not be easily duplicated or manufactured but it is quickly contagious, your employes and co-workers will be instantly struck by your enthusiasm allowing them to utilize their own internal enthusiasm.

Going forward don’t be afraid to let your patrons and co-workers see your passion let them share in your enthusiasm. Sharing enthusiasm is the perfect brand building platform. When we experience a brand with genuine enthusiasm it sticks with us and we feel like we where apart of a magic moment! Build loyalty with your customers and establish a strong competitive advantage using the power of “enthusiasm”

Be like Willy and let the enthusiasm fly!

Tags: enthusiasm in business.

As entrepreneurs and small business owners we are closely tied to our enterprise. More often that not our enterprise defines who we are, we put all of our self into our business. We infuse our ideas, and cling to our ventures. We live it and breath it. Because of this it is hard to separate your life, from the life of your business.

Your business personality is important and often times for small business and solopreneurs the presence of the owners personality is a vital part of its success but therein lies the problem. In standard office and corporate environments people are reminded to leave their personal life, problems, worries etc.. at home but for the passionate entrepreneur this can be troubling how do you leave theses things at the door when their is little separation between your work life and home life. You constantly take your work home and your personal life to work.

So what happens when personal troubles seep into your business? Making your personal troubles and drama present in your enterprise can be shockingly detrimental to your business at times even crippling. It is important to remember that often times the professionals your business services or works with are not prepared to deal with your home life and they don’t want to.

Building that work life balance we often hear reference to is crucial to preserve the integrity of your organization even if you are a solopreneur. Bringing toxic negativity to your work is a simple way to destroy your brand and alienate your patrons. Your first rule should always be to never make your personal problems the problems of your associates, patrons or customers. Everyone has their own problems and although your transparency of character has served you well in business it will not do you justice to tarnish that with a infiltration of personal problems.

We have seen how the recent marital dramas of the Los Angeles Dodger owners the Mccourts has had a troubling effect on the organization as a whole steaming all the way down to the club house.

Just remember don’t be a toxicpreneur, keeping your positivity up even during the down times will server your organization right and lead to continued loyalty amongst customers and employees.

Your business is you but your business should always be the best face of you, just like any brand, consistency of character is key and if you show inconsistency and draw too much negative attention your brand will suffer.

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