Sustainability shouldn't be applied to just "green initiatives," but also to a business' longevity.  We as business owners need to learn how to plan for for our own sustainability instead of from month-to-month.  How often do you as an owner look at whether or not you need to upgrade your computer system or purchase a new phone set-up, or investing into continuing education for their employees.

So many times I continue to run across business owners who are only concerned with their bottom line and what their business can do for them personally, and not what they can do for their business.  Doesn't make sense does it, when you say to yourself that you wanted to get into business for freedom, financial rewards, etc.  However, when you do open up that business, it literally becomes like a child.   Constantly needing care, investment of your time and money, endless amounts of attention, and a lot of TLC.  However when you ignore your "child" you lose control over it and it basically runs all over the place until you decide you need to get a handle on it.  Unfortunately sometimes it's too little too late.

Your child won't grow the way you want it to without making sure it becomes sustainable.  Yes many business owners who have worked for years at their dream are able to let it continue without managing the day-to-day details.  All because they learned to make it self-sufficient over the years, as well as giving it plenty of TLC.  Sounds like a young child growing up into a responsible adult, all because the parent constantly worked towards teaching them responsibility and maturity, while learning from their mistakes but investing in their future.

Dwayne J. Briscoe