5 Intangible Things Every Small Business Owner Needs to Succeed
By: Aries Payne
Starting a business takes more than just a great idea and capital. While things like funding, equipment, and location are important, it's often the intangible qualities—the mindset, skills, and habits—that help determine your long-term success.
To learn what really sets successful entrepreneurs apart, we asked several of our SBDC Business Advisors about the assets they believe are most important for small business owners, and here's what they said:
Consistency
Success doesn't happen overnight, and that's because it requires you to show up consistently—even on the days when you don't feel like it, when no one's clapping, or when progress feels like it's at a standstill.
Being consistent also means maintaining your core values and brand identity. For example, if your business is known for its exceptional customer service, every interaction—whether it's a phone call, email, or comment on a social media post—should reflect that. This will help you build trust with your customers!
Passion
Starting and running a business involves risks, setbacks, and long hours. Passion is what keeps you going when the motivation fades and drives your willingness to work through tough times. It's what helps you stay invested even when your plans don't go exactly right. Passion inspires confidence, not just in yourself, but in your product or service.
But passion isn't just about emotion—it's a strategic advantage. When you truly believe in what you're building, it manifests in how you sell, how you lead your team, and how you innovate. It helps you attract customers, partners, and investors who want to be part of something bigger than just a one-time transaction.
The Big Picture
Small business owners who thrive keep their eyes on the big picture. This means having a clear mission and vision and using your "why" to guide every key business decision you make.
However, seeing the big picture doesn't mean you should ignore the details. Every element of your business, from product features to social media content, should align with your overall vision. In short, the best entrepreneurs are both visionary and detail-oriented; yes, they dream big, but they always execute with care.
Integrity
In business, your reputation is everything—and it's built on integrity. This means being transparent in your pricing, honest with customers, and ethical in the way you run your operations, both publicly and behind closed doors.
It's easy to make a dishonest claim about a product or service to earn quick sales. However, entrepreneurs who consistently act with integrity earn something from customers and their team far more valuable: trust.
Support
"If there's one piece of advice I'd give to every small business owner, it's this: Don't go it alone," says Shay Iacoponelli, Business Advisor at the Brazos Valley SBDC.
Success isn't just about having a great idea or working around the clock—it's about surrounding yourself with the right people.
"Imagine you're throwing a dinner party for your business." Iacoponelli continues. "At the table, you'd want a marketing expert to help you grow, a CPA to keep the finances sharp, a lawyer to protect what you're building, and an insurance agent to safeguard against the unexpected. These aren't just advisors—they're your sounding board, your safety net, and your strategic partners."
As a small business owner, you can't be an expert in everything. But if you build a trusted circle of professionals who are, you'll make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and have the confidence to chase big goals. Entrepreneurship can feel lonely at times, but the truth is, the best businesses are built by teams—even if you're a team of one.
And speaking of teams, our SBDC Business Advisors are always on your side! If you're getting ready to start a business, find your nearest SBDC and schedule your no-cost advising appointment today.
Thank you to our SBDC Business Advisors, Shay Iacoponelli, Erica Magallon, Jimmy Nguyen, and Don Yokovich for their contributions!
