Introduction — The Enchantment of Small Business

Many small businesses originate from a single individual’s aspiration for improvement. This person possesses a skill, product, or innovative idea and dedicates themselves to sharing it with others through a business venture. While some entrepreneurs manage to grow their enterprises to a satisfactory level, providing a reasonable income, many stop there, often leaving untapped potential behind.

Conversely, a smaller fraction of entrepreneurs harbor grander ambitions. They seek not merely comfort but substantial success for various reasons, prompting them to strive for business growth. Initially, this growth is fueled by long hours and the owner’s passion. As demands increase, hiring others becomes necessary. However, this swift ascent can soon transform into a relentless grind. What once was straightforward and exhilarating can become intricate and often overwhelming. Who could have predicted the myriad challenges associated with scaling a small business? Yet, the determined few continue to push forward.

This book is intended for two audiences: those who wish to maintain their current business size while potentially increasing their income without excessive effort, and especially those visionaries who aspire to expand their businesses to enjoy the lifestyle they envision and realize their dreams.

Operating a business will never be entirely "easy," but it doesn't have to be as challenging as many perceive it to be. Numerous books claim to offer shortcuts to making your business more efficient, profitable, and streamlined. Feel free to explore them, but before diving in, consider this:

There exists a fundamental principle that most business owners overlook to a significant extent. This principle, when understood and implemented effectively, can greatly enhance the likelihood of both immediate and lasting success.

This principle resonates deeply with me—I’ve experienced it firsthand. Starting with just $50 in 1978, I grew a typesetting company to $600,000 in annual revenue within five years (equivalent to over $1,500,000 in 2021 currency) by embracing this crucial principle. Despite facing numerous obstacles and making plenty of mistakes, the power of this principle sustained my business’s growth.

This book is dedicated to exploring this principle, which I have spent years analyzing, refining, and applying. Like many foundational concepts, it may seem obvious to the point of being trivial once articulated. The typical reaction is, "Of course, everyone knows that." Yet, the reality is that not everyone does. Evidence suggests that not only do most individuals fail to implement it, but many also actively resist applying it while claiming they already do!

The principle in question is Quality.

The quality principles delineated in this book are rarely taught in business schools and are not compiled in any other texts I’ve encountered. Some of these principles are obscure or even unknown.

Small Business Magic will achieve the following in an accessible and hard-to-refute manner:

• Clearly define what quality entails.
• Illustrate how to attain quality.
• Offer specific actions that promote quality.
• Explain how to integrate quality throughout a business.

Give this book a fair chance. Give yourself and your business a significant opportunity. The benefits are immense.

This first video, 32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business by Earvin Magic Johnson, highlights effective strategies for achieving business excellence.

The second video, The Magic of Tiny Business by Sharon Rowe, provides a concise overview of how small businesses can thrive.