Cincinatti, OH -- (SBWIRE) --10/03/2011 -- In these trying times, starting a new business can seem like a dream, however if you are smart and willing to take a risk, it can provide a strong potential for both success and personal satisfaction. I have been involved with a range of organizations, small to medium to Fortune 500 businesses in my career, and have learned a lot from these experiences.

During my years in business, I have learned that success can be achieved if you take the time to devote yourself fully to your new business. Below is a list of my top ten factors that can only enhance your chances of creating a successful small business venture.

1) Passion: This can be a huge factor in whether or not your business is going to take off. If you do not have a passion for what you are going to do, then you are not going to want to spend the amount of time needed to make your business successful.

2) Ambition: Creating a successful small business takes a certain type of individual. This person must have ambition.

3) Risk-Taker: You must be willing to take risks when starting a business otherwise you will never be able to hit the ground running.

4) Goals: Setting goals is an important part of the planning for your business. When you set goals, you set key expectations for yourself.

5) Smart Business Model: Along with setting goals comes creating a smart business plan and model that will allow your company to grow and succeed. Researching the flaws and strengths of successful business models in a number of industries is a great way to solidify ideas for your own pursuit.

6) Focused Strategy: Having a strategy also means knowing what you want to do with your business and where you want to take it. Setting a focused strategy specific to your companies needs is essential.

7) A Research Driven Marketing Plan: In order for your business to succeed you need clients and customers. So, start from the beginning. Know your target market and set up a marketing plan to gain their attention and set yourself apart with your services.

8) High Standards for Client Satisfaction: Once you gain customers, you want to keep them. So setting a high standard for your employees to keep customer satisfaction up is also necessary.

9) High Standards for Employee Satisfaction: You also want to keep your employees happy in your new business. High employee turnover is very costly and gives off negative vibes around the work place. Make your business somewhere your employees want to be and not some place they have to be. Set yourself apart as being the “employer of choice” in your market.

10) Stay Up to Date: Keeping up with the changing times is essential. You must keep your business up to date or you risk falling behind.

These keys to success are not automatic, but they are great to keep in mind when running a small business and can make a BIG difference in your progress. What other small business tips do you have? I would love to hear about them, share with me on TheIndpendenceBlog.com.

About FirstLight HomeCare
FirstLight HomeCare creates a new standard in non-medical, in-home care customized for seniors, new mothers and those recovering from illness, injury or surgery. The demand for high-quality in-home care is at an all-time high, with more than 12 percent of Americans over 65 and wanting to remain independent for as long as possible. FirstLight HomeCare combines best practices of a dynamic senior leadership team with more than 110 years of collective senior care experience and innovative approaches to make this franchise an emerging market leader in a fast-growing industry. FirstLight HomeCare franchises have exclusive access to Foundation FirstSM, the best-in-class franchise support system bringing together 26 franchise essentials, unmatched in the industry. Prime territories are going quickly, for more information please visit http:/www.firstlightfranchise.com. Follow CEO Jeff Bevis on Twitter @jbevisfranchise and read his blog TheIndependenceBlog.com.