Stephen V. Smith

Learning to pursue a rare life

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

Have you ever found a snake in your kitchen floor?

Of course you haven't.

Neither have I. But for some reason, every morning when I walk into the dark kitchen, I flip on the lights and think, "Is there a snake? No? Good."

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

@FrogandToadbot This account is the only reason I still Twitter

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

Will @PLAUDAI integrate with my existing @ChatGPTapp account?

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

@Lilacmess What brand did you switch to?

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

That’s one ugly truck, but one crazy marketing idea …

You can win a brand-new $80,000 @Tesla Cybertruck. 🤯 It's 100% free to enter. 🏆 #giveaways #win #free https://t.co/jZMzippvyP

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

I’m in Paducah, looking up. Where is @photographerjon today? #SolarEclipse2024

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

X says I’ve been on the platform 14 years. Seems appropriate, as 2010 was a pivotal year for my small business and my career in general. #MyXAnniversary

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

@caleb_caudle Can’t wait to hear your new material!

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

@jspector https://t.co/uIXrtAX6aZ

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

Hats off to Butts County, Georgia, for taking a potential liability and turning it into a branding asset. What’s something about your small business you should embrace instead of cover up?

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

On our drive to Orlando for the Value Builder Summit, my wife asked a great question. "So, what are you hoping to get from this conference?"

My initial answer was, "I'm looking forward to the results of the pricing models survey." But then I remembered the real value of attending such events — meeting quality people with similar interests and goals.

For a number of reasons, it's been a few years since I've attended any sort of conference. I'm excited to learn, but even more excited about doing so among other advisors and hearing their stories.

Yes, I hope to come home with greater knowledge of the value-building industry and business coaching in general. But beyond that, l plan to leave the summit having made new friends so we can learn from one another and encourage one another as we help business owners across North America.

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

Always curious about pricing models, I have a question for hoteliers: What is the concept behind charging $36/day for valet parking when that’s the only parking option, as opposed to providing free valet parking & accounting for that expense in your room rates? (Fresh on my mind after checking in last night …)

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

@jayclouse But do podcasters even wear pants?

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

Adopt 14 as part of your mind shift for 2024. And practice 20 every day. It works, but you have to practice it to become comfortable.

[Jay Clouse @jayclouse]

The BIGGEST lessons learned from 7+ years and $1M+ earned as a creator (bookmark this)

1. Access is easier than you think. The people you think you could never meet or talk to? Chances are you can.

2. The difference between a BIG outcome and a SMALL outcome may be one relationship (or conversation)

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

The Value Builder program calls this the “Switzerland Structure,” one of the 8 key drivers of value in a business. Concentration is not only dangerous in client mix, but we can also find ourselves too dependent on a vendor or employee. Thanks for sharing your example, Matt, glad it worked out for you!

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

@ClintFiore @DSweetTexas Great point ... I've too often been guilty of trying to force "good" things to happen, missing the opportunity for them to be "great" things. Your patience and balance are solid examples.

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

@ClintFiore I love this vision so much, Clint. We have similar ideas (but without the skiing and flying). This inspires me to get more strategic about our short-term rental cabin here in the mountains of NE Alabama. Thanks for sharing this and encouraging others.
https://t.co/0KsqPIFFlp

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

I love it when a non-profit board understands the value of strategic planning! Had a great time last week leading this wonderful group of volunteers through an offsite board of directors strategic planning retreat. Excited to see them power through their goals in 2024!

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

This is a perfect example of an argument that applies to so many things: I agree that government is not the answer to most of society’s ills, BUT how our society is structured is always going to benefit certain groups or demographics more than others. Even when we say “we want small government, and the lowest tax rates as possible,” we’re still advocating for policies that will benefit someone. The question then becomes “who among us do we believe should be the benefactor of this or that policy stance?” Democracy is a grand experiment, a game that has rules. And how those rules are written determine the kind of society we want to build. In your example, the winners are families and children foremost, but by extension SMBs and even the government. I wish more people could see that logic.

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

Think through your reaction to possible challenges that could hit your small business. Then you won't be surprised when a snake greets you in the kitchen one morning.

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

I've encountered my fair share of snakes, the biggest of which being a health crisis that could have tanked my business. Instead, I reinvented my operation from an ICU bed and a few years later we landed on the Inc. 5000 list and sold to a strategic acquirer.

[Stephen V. Smith @StephenVSmith]

There's a fine line between thinking about potential disruptions and obsessing over negative outcomes. Small business owners will benefit from finding that balance.

Play "what if," even have a little fun with it.