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Dedication

M y ve ry first thank you and words of appreciation have to go to my wife, Christine, and our 2-year-old daughter, Caitlyn. This project was incredibly difficult and time-consuming because it was my first book. I have written many papers and research studies, but never something of this magnitude. Consequently, I spent many weekends and evenings tucked away in our home office writing this book instead of playing with Caitlyn or spending quality time with family and friends. There are trade-offs to everything in life; however, the amount of time I invested toward this book was much more than I ever imagined at the onset. The understanding I received from Christine and Caitlyn made the long hours bearable. I am blessed to have special people in my life who have always loved me. Thank you, my love.

Another special thank you goes to my mother, Evie Riegler. She has always wanted the best for me and encouraged me to think and dream big. She has been proud of me during my times of triumph and assured me that things would be okay during my times of failure. My mother has also been my coach and mentor. I still remember the seemingly endless rehearsals we would do before the annual speech and poetry competition at my elementary school (Heritage Christian School in Canton, Ohio). She never demanded that I be the best; however, she coached me to practice so I could apply all of my talents. Those invaluable rehearsal sessions gave me the skills I needed to become comfortable working in front of, and with, large groups of people. I still rely on those skills today at the university. My mother, as well as my entire family, always embraced the concept of hard work, dedication, commitment to one another, and an intense entrepreneurial spirit. These values shaped who I have become today.

I would also like to thank several of my best friends for their ongoing support and motivation when I didnt think I would actually get this project completed on time. The advice I received from Greg Filbeck, Ted Stein, and Mitch Moths was invaluable. Their unbiased reviews of my writing and honest critiques of my business strategies were critically important. They continue to keep me grounded and focused on the goals ahead. Thanks guys.

I also need to thank my good friend and mentor, Tony Parinello. Tony is the Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Selling to VITO and has sold over one million books throughout his impressive career. Tony mentored me through the adventure of writing and promoting this book. Thank you, Tony, for your advice and expertise along this journey I decided to travel. I will never forget your generosity. I sincerely appreciate your help and encouragement.

I would also like to thank Douglas Brown and his team at Atlantic Publishing for taking a chance on me. They took a risk on an unproven and first-time author. I hope I dont let you down! And a special thank you to Meg Buchner at Atlantic. Meg is a former business partner of mine and the person who first introduced me to Douglas. She is also the outstanding graphic designer who designed my book cover. Thank you, Meg, for doing an amazing job. Youre awesome!

About Author Stephen Woessner

I have an intimate understanding of the challenges and obstacles faced by small business owners because I come from a family of hard-working entrepreneurs. My grandfather (Pop) immigrated to the United States from Greece in the early 1920s. He worked as a dishwasher in a small Canton, Ohio restaurant until he had saved enough money to open his own place. He named his first restaurant The Ideal. Pops business savvy and discipline would make any corporate executive envious. He managed to keep his restaurant afloat through the Great Depression by selling soup-and-sandwich combos for a nickel. Hows that for a value menu? Pops business plan was simple, No matter how bad the economy getsjust remembereveryones got to eat.

And he was right. Pop went on to open a larger restaurant called The Colonial, which is still fondly remembered in Canton to this day. He passed down his unwavering work ethic to his son and three daughters, and then later, to his ten grandchildren.

My mother, one of Pops daughters, owned a successful bakery and catering business for 14 years in North Canton until her health deteriorated and she was forced to close it. Former customers still rave about her elegant wedding cakes, pies, and decadent desserts. Her designs were unlike anything ever seen before, or since.

Three of my uncles owned amazingly popular restaurants, and two of my cousins currently own a gourmet chocolate company that consistently sells out its inventory on Home Shopping Network (HSN).