Expertise does not come from the latest book, blog, podcast or tweet - it comes from years of true first hand experience as a small business owner. It comes from living and loving it - the good, the bad, the ugly. Success can come overnight, but without a strong foundation it can also be lost in an instant. A sustainable, growing small business needs a clear business + marketing plan, a solid understanding of its clients as well as its competition, and a clear brand identity. It needs to not only understand its strengths and its weaknesses, but when to ask for help.