“Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” ~ William Faulkner.
Faulkner’s boldness lies in his willingness to take creative risks, pushing the boundaries of storytelling to craft something entirely his own. Much like an entrepreneur, he didn’t play it safe—he redefined the rules, exploring the edges of what’s possible.
For Faulkner, this meant breaking convention with time, perspective, and voice. For a business owner, it means trusting your instincts, leaning into your unique strengths, and offering something no one else can.
Both know the truth: real success doesn’t come from playing by the book. It comes from daring to create something meaningful, enduring, and undeniably your own—even when the path is uncertain.
For small business owners, this advice is gold. While others obsess over competitors, the real game isn’t about being better than them—it’s about being the best version of yourself.
The reality is, running a small business is messy. It’s not a perfectly planned sprint toward some magical finish line.
It's more like a marathon through winding, unfamiliar roads, where every decision feels like it could make or break you. And it’s even harder when you’re constantly looking over your shoulder, worrying about what the shop down the street is doing.
Here’s the thing: obsessing over competition can lead you to a dead end. The race isn’t about them—it’s about you. It’s about finding what makes your business uniquely valuable and amplifying that, day after day.
You see the truth is, the customers you want aren’t looking for the cheapest price or the biggest brand—they’re looking for someone they trust, someone who gets them, and someone who delivers value they can’t find anywhere else.
Let’s explore how you can shift your mindset, focus on what you do best, and build a business that thrives—on your own terms.
GROWTH IS A MINDSET.
Stop Comparing, Start Leading
Here’s a hard truth: if you spend all your time tracking what others are doing, you’ll lose sight of your own business. You’ll react instead of lead, follow instead of innovate, and become a watered-down version of your competitors.
Let’s reframe this. What if, instead of chasing others, you asked, What am I uniquely good at? What do my customers value most about what I offer?
For example, if you own a local flower shop, you might notice a competitor offering cheaper arrangements or faster delivery. But is that why your customers choose you? Probably not. Maybe they come to you for the personal touch—the handwritten note, the way you remember their anniversary, or the care you put into each bouquet. That’s your competitive edge, and no one else can replicate it.
Instead of competing on price or speed, double down on your strengths. Lean into what makes your business special, and you’ll attract the kind of customers who value that—and who will stick with you for the long haul.
Action Step: Take 10 minutes to write down three things your business does better than anyone else. Then ask, How can I amplify these strengths to stand out even more?
Fear vs. Growth: The Real Battle
Fear is sneaky. It tells you to undercut your prices, chase every customer, and overextend yourself to keep up. But here’s the thing: fear-driven decisions are short-term fixes that rarely lead to long-term success.
Instead of making decisions from a place of fear, start asking, what’s already working, and how can I build on that? Growth doesn’t come from frantically trying to outdo others, it comes from consistently improving what you do best.
Think about a restaurant owner who panics when a new spot opens nearby. They slash prices, add unnecessary items on the menu, and burn out their staff trying to compete. Now think about a different response: focusing on loyal customers, refining their best dishes, and creating an experience people love. Which approach do you think wins in the long run?
Action Step: Perform a “strength audit.” List three things that are already working in your business. Maybe it’s your excellent customer service, your loyal client base, or your unique product offering. Choose one area to improve this month and commit to it.
Loyalty Beats Price Wars Every Time
When times get tough, it’s tempting to compete on price. But let’s be real: in a race to the bottom, nobody wins. Customers who choose you based solely on price will leave you for the next cheaper option. Instead of chasing those customers, focus on building loyalty with the ones who value what you offer.
Loyalty isn’t about flashy marketing. It’s about connection. It’s about creating moments that make customers feel valued and appreciated. And it’s about delivering an experience they can’t find anywhere else.
Here are three ways to build loyalty:
Communicate Consistently: Send thank-you notes, newsletters, or personalized updates to show customers you care.
Create Exclusive Perks: Reward repeat customers with discounts, early access to products, or surprise gifts.
Deliver Small, Memorable Touches: Add something extra—a handwritten note, an unexpected bonus, or a simple “thank you” in person.
For example, a local gym owner could offer members a free fitness assessment after six months or host a small appreciation event. These gestures cost little but build immense goodwill.
Action Step: Choose one way to deepen customer loyalty this month. Whether it’s starting a simple loyalty program or adding a personal touch to your service, think outside the box and take action today.
GROWTH IS A PRACTICE.
Bold Action Builds Confidence
Here’s a secret: boldness isn’t about being fearless. It’s about acting despite the fear. Most small business owners have ideas they’ve been sitting on for weeks, months, sometimes years—because they’re worried it won’t work.
But here’s the thing: bold action is how you build confidence. Confidence doesn’t come from waiting for the perfect plan or the perfect time. It comes from taking small, intentional steps and learning as you go.
Let’s say you’ve been thinking about offering a new product or service but haven’t pulled the trigger. Instead of overthinking, test it on a small scale. Offer it to a handful of customers, gather feedback, and refine it before rolling it out more broadly. This approach reduces risk and helps you gain clarity.
Another roadblock is perfectionism. Many business owners wait for everything to line up perfectly before they act. But the truth is, there’s no perfect time. The best time to start is now, with the tools and resources you already have.
Action Step: Pick one idea you’ve been sitting on and commit to testing it this week. It doesn’t have to be big. Just take one small step forward. As my father used to tell me often, just put one foot in front of the other.
The Big Picture: Compete With Yourself, Not Others
At the end of the day, the real competition isn’t the shop down the street or the online retailer with free shipping. It’s the version of you from last year, last month, or even yesterday.
Every day is a chance to improve. To serve your customers a little better. To refine your processes. To focus on the strengths that make your business unique. When you commit to that kind of growth, the competition becomes irrelevant.
The customers who truly matter—the ones who value quality, connection, and trust—will notice. And they’ll stick with you, not because you’re the cheapest or flashiest, but because you’re the best at what you do.
Action Step: Reflect on your business journey. What’s one way you’ve grown in the past year? Celebrate that progress and use it as fuel to keep moving forward.
GROWTH IS BECOMING YOURSELF.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
At BAM Entrepreneurial Center, we’re here to help you thrive. Whether you’re looking to amplify your strengths, build customer loyalty, or take bold action, we’ve got the tools and expertise to guide you. Contact us today to start building the business you’ve always envisioned.
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