Troy’s Blog
Do’s and Don’ts for Going Into Business with a Family Member (or Best Friend)
As someone whose first business was with a family member (my mother), I've learned a bit about starting a business venture with family. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWwWkRmKziA Here are my do's and don'ts: DO the paperwork. With family members it’s easy to go...
Tips for Advertising on the Radio
As the owner of 12 businesses over the last 25 years, advertising has always been part of my marketing plans. Early in my career I worked as a production manager at a radio station and later I owned an advertising agency. These experiences taught me the...
Two Questions to Ask Your Peers at Every Conference
In the 25 years that I’ve worked with businesses I continue to hear them say, “What you’re saying won’t work for me. You don’t understand. My customers are different in my area.” I will argue that this isn’t true! We can all learn from each other....
Why You Need an Advisory Board in Your Business
Who do you turn to when you need help in your business? Do you have an advisory board for your business? With the 12 businesses I’ve owned over the last 25 years, I’ve always had an advisory board. Here's how it works: My advisory board consists of a handful of...
Being Disruptive, Distinctive and Disarming in Your Business
It’s that time of year – a time for reflection, resolutions, redirection, and for some, remorse. But what if you looked at it a different way? So many people treat this time of year like it’s a start line of a new sprint. When it’s really just the continuation of...
What Customers Are Looking For
Customers are the same all over the world - the key is to understand the transactional drivers. Everybody in business is selling something and your customers want these 5 transactional drivers: 1. Good quality brands and people to deal with. 2. Good service. 3....
Find Time to Create Your Business Vision
How do you have greater vision for your business? How do you take that vision to the streets? That is, how do you execute the vision. In developing a strategy for your business or franchise, I focus on these 3 things: Focus on the things that you CAN change. Focus...
Discussing the First Presidential Debate between Clinton & Trump
As a recent guest on the Big Biz Show, we discussed how both candidates performed on the first debate - and how they will address small business issues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na1zmM7Ix-o About Troy Hazard: I am the founder/owner of 12 businesses...
Are Your Customers Different?
In the 25 years that I've worked with franchisees I continue to hear them say, "What you're saying won't work for me. You don't understand. My customers are different in my area." I will argue that this isn't true! Customers across the world share similar needs:...
Top 3 Questions to Ask When Going into Business
If you've ever said to yourself, "I hate my job/boss/career path. I should really get into business and work for myself," then ask yourself these questions. Do I REALLY want to be doing that all day? It’s a bit of a romance. But - there is no use being a dog...
