!['"I went into business to continue my family's legacy and take the reigns as the 4th generation Berges. Being a direct descendant of my great grandfather, there was no better way to continue our family's dream. The best part about being a business owner is being able to work side by side with my father. For the past 88 years my family has handcrafted awnings that exceed customer expectations. My advice for new business owners: Work smarter, not harder. Focus on quality, not quantity. If you focus on your product, people will come because of it.” — Nate, @[154646634561072:274:Berges Trenton Awning Inc.]
#SMBstories'](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160109003003im_/https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-0/s133x133/12289486_10153862997631337_2824158817266521446_n.jpg?oh=180c46d1d28732113e84eeedffcf4f9f&oe=5702FEFE)
!['“I became ill and after going to many doctors with no diagnosis, I decided to take my health into my own hands. I changed my diet and—upon realizing I couldn't pronounce most of the ingredients on the back of my lotion bottle—decided to start making healthier bath and body products. At the urging of friends, I took my products to a local festival and set up a table. I remember thinking, 'If I sell five things I can get a new pair of shoes.' Well, we sold out! I couldn't believe it. People bought the products I made in my own kitchen. That's when I realized we’d just started a business. My mom always called us (her kids) her pookalitas. We have no idea what it meant but it was her term of endearment. I wanted to call my company Pookalita but it wouldn't fit on the bottle so I shortened it to Pooka. It’s amazing waking up every day and knowing I'm creating a legacy for myself and my family. I'm sharing products that made me feel better with so many other people and when I hear them say how much they love them, it makes me proud.” — Dawn, @[89613425387:274:Pooka Pure and Simple]
#SMBstories'](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160109003003im_/https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-0/p118x118/12295393_10153861243531337_3194553076227460344_n.jpg?oh=e310c325a62dc422405ba21ad689e992&oe=570880C0)
!['"We have nearly 100 team members now, most of whom are veterans. They each have a very different but familiar story that connects us all—from struggles to successes, from crazy horrible to awesomely funny. The stories are always humbling and serve as gentle reminders that not only is the mission important, but the people to the left and right of you make it worth it. We will all take our boots off for the last time—not just in uniform, but in life. Accomplishing our goals is important, but what matters just as much is being able to look back on your life and say, 'I did it the right way, with people I care about.'" — Daniel, @[131303296897437:274:Grunt Style]
#SMBstories'](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160109003003im_/https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-0/p118x118/12227189_10153816955856337_5104975164765707462_n.jpg?oh=eded90427e782c04240ad77b2ab5c573&oe=571304D1)
!['“We have a special job. Every day, we have clients who are grateful and thankful and cry happy tears when we deliver their pets to them. It's a great feeling and one you won’t find in corporate America. In the past 6 years I’ve never once thought, ‘I don’t want to go to work.’ Whoever said, ‘An entrepreneur will work 80 hours a week so they don’t have to work a 40 hour week,’ is a pure genius. I’ll always remember the day I received my first phone call from a potential client, and then the following week she sent us a check! I waived it around like a crazy lady. ‘I have a CLIENT and she PAID!'” — Kari, @[367983949613:274:Island Pet Movers]
#SMBstories'](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160109003003im_/https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtl1/v/t1.0-0/s128x128/11139357_10153784689901337_4857644981367327271_n.png?oh=f063090b220076dc01121cf0643ec07f&oe=57082969)
!['“My favorite business memory is also my most painful. In 2013, Kind Design was located in the basement of my home in Boulder, Colorado. On September 12th, I woke up to 5 feet of water and mud in my basement… I had lost it all. Computers, printing equipment, all my inventory—just about everything I had worked for was gone. A few days after the flood, I received some samples of hats I had designed. They were my first full-custom hats and they included our snowdrop logo with the Colorado flag. Coincidentally, it was a fantastic Colorado flood relief design, and the hats looked great, so I decided to post them on Facebook and tell my story. The post went viral, reaching over 1,000,000 people, and we ended up pre-selling enough hats to save the company. Just when I thought the business was over we found enough support through Facebook to save Kind Design. It wasn’t just local support either, we received orders from all 50 states, which was incredible. After this happened, I vowed to make customer satisfaction my number one priority. I want to thank all my customers and clients. Kind Design would not be where it is without your unwavering support.” — Damon, @[123620924347000:274:Kind Design]
#SMBstories'](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160109003003im_/https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-0/s160x160/12049216_10153778611576337_7574092023251545900_n.jpg?oh=35c5401ee721008b0dfa005ed32e31ea&oe=56FBA500)
!['"I started the business delivering food myself to customers every night by push-bike. I wanted our very first order to go well, so I decided to go by car. I made a wrong turn and found myself going in the opposite direction in a one-way system. When I got back on track the traffic was horrendous, so when the cars eventually cleared I put my foot down, only to be pulled over by police who told me I was going to lose my license. My tax was also one day out of date so they said I had a court order. (All I was thinking was, “Yeah, but seriously these pancakes are getting cold.”) Fortunately, they let me off with a warning. There will always ups and downs, good days and bad days. Staying positive and optimistic through it all is hard, but crucial to success.” — Simon, @[750223668380095:274:FEAST]
#SMBstories'](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160109003003im_/https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-0/p110x80/12096122_10153763925996337_556442926090054241_n.jpg?oh=f54472a616b2b6de054153219e938e6f&oe=57013AB1)
!['"Believe in yourself and the services you offer. Be ready to say no, it doesn't make you the bad guy. Invest in the things you need before the things you want. There will be busy times and there will be slow times—you need to be financially prepared for the slow times. Each day will bring new challenges, but it will all be okay. And remember, enjoy each day." — Mindy, @[191591904195799:274:Choice Automotive]
#SMBstories'](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160109003003im_/https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-0/p110x80/12140615_10153744636361337_5314943602383953625_n.jpg?oh=b2f415f67bc3347fc7972e68afe05bd9&oe=56FDEABB)
!['"Know your market. Don't be afraid to try new things and, whether good or bad, learn from them. Take chances. Treat every single customer with respect. Appreciate employees. Don't be afraid to ask for help—no one has all the answers. Work hard and say thank you... a lot. In a world where many businesses have forgotten the business basics, they are what I have focused on. I will celebrate my 20th year in business in March, 2016. I am so very proud of this accomplishment!" — Joni, @[131157060240845:274:Shoes etc. & Stonz Jewelry~ Downs, KS]
#SMBstories'](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160109003003im_/https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-0/p110x80/12004815_10153720871081337_4080125848279031661_n.png?oh=61613fe7598072c2204c4a9e137ec943&oe=571178B8)
!['"You have to go all in right away. If you start out and are not fully focused, and have another job, your new business will suffer. You have to believe in what you do and just do it. Sure, there is always the risk of failing, but there is always the chance you will succeed!" — Keith, @[171025018270:274:Bubbly Paws]
#SMBstories'](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20160109003003im_/https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-0/p110x80/12004739_10153714966601337_270795135817168588_n.jpg?oh=e8ffc415195bd44ff19b5e96bd3cc362&oe=5715CFC6)
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