Success in Business

Here's one of the most memorable, humorous and essentially true statements I have ever heard about being successful in business:

Early to bed.
Early to rise.
Work like hell;
and advertise!

This comes from Oshel Craigo, the longtime owner-operator of several restaurant chains, including Tudor's Biscuit World and Geno's Pizza & Spaghetti. I heard him say this in a speech, more than 10 years ago. The line stuck with me. I happened to run into him last night at a business event.

On the one hand, it is great advice, especially for anyone in small business and especially in a retail-oriented business. Business requires amazing focus, tenacity and toughness. It's a dogfight every day. You have to show up. And it never goes away. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Personally, I happen to love it and would not trade it.

From a different perspective, his cleverly constructed advice-limerick is a genius line. In terms of speech making or message development, Mr. Craigo gave them something brief and memorable. The fact that it rhymes adds to its "stickiness."

A tip of the cap to Mr. Craigo and all of the other marketing geniuses who have the tenacity to compete and win in small business.