Tired of taking orders? Have a great business idea? May, which is National Small Business Month, is a great time to think about starting your own endeavor.

But do you have what it takes to do it all yourself?

A new survey of business owners, conducted by Deluxe, a provider of marketing services and products to small businesses, concludes that small business owners share many of the same tendencies and even similar personal histories — a sort of unique DNA that allows them to thrive.

For example, when it comes to heredity and actual DNA, 76 percent of small business owners have relatives who owned businesses. And 86 percent are ultra-confident, believing they can do anything they really set their mind to.

Most interestingly, the research found a tendency to try and fail, then succeed. Seventy-seven percent of small business owners surveyed said they would rather learn from failure than never try at all.

”With confidence, drive, tenacity and talent, small business owners will improve their chances at being sustainable and profitable,” says Tim Carroll, vice president of small business engagement at Deluxe.

In time for National Small Business Month, here are some tips for those looking to launch businesses:

• Do your research: While starting a business involves risk, you can mitigate some uncertainty with proper research. In fact, seventy-nine percent of small business owners research products before purchasing, according to the survey — a tendency that far exceeds that of the general population.

Have a clear understanding of your market, competitors, expected startup costs, overhead and return on investment.  Know who your customer base will be and learn about them.

• Build a brand: Powerful branding differentiates a company from its competitors, making it easier for customers to choose that company for business relationships, and allows a company to get referral business.

However, don’t wing it yourself on your home computer. A professional design team can help you stand out for the right reasons. For example, Deluxe offers logo packages that can include a tagline, letterhead and customized email signature. Visit www.Deluxe.com for tips on making your company’s brand memorable and appealing.

• Communicate: Whether you’re providing legal services or you’re a roofing contractor, technology has made it easier for business owners to establish themselves as experts by sharing their knowledge with current and potential customers. Use social media tools to deliver news, offer information and provide deals and promotions.

• Optimize: If you build a website will they come? Not necessarily. Text-based content is how Google determines what a site is about. Be sure to add keywords to your title page, page description, meta tags and headlines. Using a professional SEO service, such as OrangeSoda, can make a big difference when it comes to traffic volume to your site. Visit www.OrangeSoda.com to set up a free consultation.

For more resources for starting or growing a small business, visit www.Deluxe.com and click on “Idea Hub.”

These days, you needn’t be a Gates or a Trump to be successful. The right tools and attitude can make all the difference.

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