--- title: 3 Tips for Small Business Owners description: As a small business owner myself, I had the opportunity to chat with the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) to give my advice to business owners image: https://blog.trustedinsite.com/hubfs/SBAM%23WW.jpg --- [![insite_logo-transparent](https://blog.trustedinsite.com/hs-fs/hubfs/insite_logo-transparent.png?width=1582&height=556&name=insite_logo-transparent.png "insite_logo-transparent")](https://trustedinsite.com/) - [Core Solutions](https://trustedinsite.com/#coresolutions) - [Managed IT Services](https://trustedinsite.com/managed-it-services/) - [IT Security and Compliance](https://trustedinsite.com/it-security-and-compliance/) - [Modern Work and Learning](https://trustedinsite.com/modern-work/) - [IT Consulting](https://trustedinsite.com/it-consulting-2/) - [Application Development](https://trustedinsite.com/application-development/) - [ERP Services](https://trustedinsite.com/erp-services/) - [Technology Products](https://trustedinsite.com/technology-products/) - Industries - [Manufacturing](https://trustedinsite.com/manufacturing/) - [Distribution](https://trustedinsite.com/distribution/) - [Professional Services](https://trustedinsite.com/professional-services/) - [Leading Businesses](https://trustedinsite.com/it-leading-business/) - Resources - [Roadmaps and Resources](https://trustedinsite.com/resources/) - [Case Studies](https://trustedinsite.com/case-studies/) - [Events](https://trustedinsite.com/events/) - [Blog](https://blog.trustedinsite.com/blog) - [Careers](https://trustedinsite.com/careers/) - [Our Why](https://trustedinsite.com/who-we-are/) [Contact Us](https://trustedinsite.com/contact/) [IT & OT](https://trustedinsite.com/it-and-ot/) a M - [Core Solutions](https://trustedinsite.com/#coresolutions) - [Managed IT Services](https://trustedinsite.com/managed-it-services/) - [IT Security and Compliance](https://trustedinsite.com/it-security-and-compliance/) - [Modern Work and Learning](https://trustedinsite.com/modern-work/) - [IT Consulting](https://trustedinsite.com/it-consulting-2/) - [Application Development](https://trustedinsite.com/application-development/) - [ERP Services](https://trustedinsite.com/erp-services/) - [Technology Products](https://trustedinsite.com/technology-products/) - Industries - [Manufacturing](https://trustedinsite.com/manufacturing/) - [Distribution](https://trustedinsite.com/distribution/) - [Professional Services](https://trustedinsite.com/professional-services/) - [Leading Businesses](https://trustedinsite.com/it-leading-business/) - Resources - [Roadmaps and Resources](https://trustedinsite.com/resources/) - [Case Studies](https://trustedinsite.com/case-studies/) - [Events](https://trustedinsite.com/events/) - [Blog](https://blog.trustedinsite.com/blog) - [Careers](https://trustedinsite.com/careers/) - [Our Why](https://trustedinsite.com/who-we-are/) [Let's Chat](https://trustedinsite.com/contact/) [IT & OT](https://trustedinsite.com/it-and-ot/) ![](https://blog.trustedinsite.com/hubfs/SBAM%23WW.jpg) # 3 Tips for Small Business Owners Published by [Mike Schipper](https://blog.trustedinsite.com/blog/author/mike-schipper) on Feb 10, 2020, 1:29:57 PM As a small business owner myself, I had the opportunity to chat with the [Small Business Association of Michigan](https://www.sbam.org/)(SBAM) to give my advice to business owners. Here are my top 3 tips:  1. **Force yourself to step out of your comfort zone.** I tend to lean more towards the introverted side of the personality spectrum, and if you are anything like me, committing to public speaking, hosting events, or even being filmed for SBAM's Wednesday Wisdom video is out of my comfort zone.  However, I believe that when you push yourself out of your comfort zone, you open yourself up to new growth opportunities. To do this, I try to schedule at least one thing a week that challenges my comfortable boundaries. These activities have often taught me the most about myself, others, and my business. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but once you are out of that zone, these events are typically where you learn the most.  Try scheduling one thing that's out of your comfort zone next week and start opening your mind to greater growth and learning opportunities.  1. **Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know."** Business owners are typically the ones that everyone is looking at and saying, "Hey, you need to have the answers." But the reality is that *we can't always have all of the answers. * As small business owners, we're taking a huge leap. And sometimes that leap is into the "unknown." To combat this, I suggest approaching this situation by hiring people who are smarter than you, then leaning on them when you don't have the answers.  Next time someone pressures you for not knowing all of the answers, don't be afraid to say, "I don't know, but we've got a great person on our team who I'll work with to help get you an answer."  1. **Start gathering data.** You may already be gathering data within your business, but if you're not, I suggest you start. Whether your gathering data from your production floor or taking a look at data in your accounting department, you can leverage that data to make better decisions for your company. There are a ton of tools out there that can help you with this. Looking into those tools and figuring out which ones will work the best for you will make all the difference in how you decide to move your company towards future success. At InsITe, we heavily lean on data to help our clients make smarter business decisions and transform their view on what's happening throughout their company.  **Don’t just stop with these 3 tips. ** Now that you have my 3 tips for small business owners, don't just stop there. Subscribe to our blog for the latest ways on how you can make your business more productive and gear yourself up for future success.   ### ABOUT INSITE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: Most West Michigan manufacturers know they need to connect their shop floor systems with their business systems. But figuring out how to bridge that gap is like playing vendor roulette. They often end up picking either an IT shop or an automation house, or a combination of both.  InsITe has IT and OT engineers on staff. One call, one team, one point of accountability across the full tech stack. Before we recommend anything, we walk your shop floor and then design the solution, execute the implementation, and own the outcome through managed services, security, and ongoing support.  If you're looking for IT or OT help from people who understand the ins and outs of manufacturing, we can help.  [Talk to an Advisor Today →](https://trustedinsite.com/contact/) Tags: [Insider](https://blog.trustedinsite.com/blog/tag/insider), [SBAM](https://blog.trustedinsite.com/blog/tag/sbam) [Back to Blog](https://blog.trustedinsite.com/blog) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## Related Articles ## [The SBAM Weekly Podcast: Define Your Success by What You Are Doing For your Clients and Community](https://blog.trustedinsite.com/blog/the-small-business-weekly-podcast-define-your-success-by-what-you-are-doing-for-your-clients-and-community) Recently, InsITe's founder CEO Mike Schipper was featured on the SBAM Weekly Podcast, hosted by... 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