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Thanks in no small part to my business partner, Richard Gearhart, I was awarded an Entrepreneurial Excellence Award today from Inside Business.

I’m not one for the spotlight, I have no fancy degrees, and I certainly was not born with a silver-spoon in my mouth. So it was particularly overwhelming and humbling to be honored as one of almost 50 nominees – one of 11 given an award.

The Entrepreneur of the Year went to Billie M. Reed, Executive Director of Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority. Congratulations, Mr. Reed.

Inside Business and the Regent University School of Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship put on a really nice event and it was very well attended.

To steal a theme from keynote speaker Jeffrey McWaters (and for whom I did the logo for his start-up business, Amerigroup, now #509 on the Fortune list) here’s my Top 10 list for a successful business:

10. Start a business doing something you really love
9. Write a solid Business plan that includes a Marketing Plan and budget
8. Surround yourself with people who will challenge you to do your best
7. Hire people who love what they do; give them the means to do their best
6. Develop a financial structure that keeps everyone hungry for success
5. Make the business a partner
4. Make sure you appreciate your family for their support and understanding
3. Don’t forget to say thank you to those who help with your success
2. Read “Cowboy Ethics” - Treat your clients/customers, vendors, suppliers, and associates fairly, honestly
1. Be patient and open to change