I have a longtime friend, where, our relationship began as business associates. 1993; nearly 30 years ago. Today, we still exchange emails and he's a paid subscriber to this blog.

Way back, he was in the business opportunity business. I bought his basic book on debt negotiation for $89 out of the $200 I had to my name at the time. And I turned that initial knowledge—simple enough to execute immediately—into a company that eventually reached 30 employees and $3 million in annual revenue. I got the book on a Friday, read it and created my forms and agreements over the weekend, and landed my first client with a $300 retainer on Monday. I was under survival pressure.

I would go on to make more than $20,000 working for that 1st client over the ensuing 2-3 years.

...Along the way in the early years, my friend held annual business conferences and I attended them all. In one speech he gave at one of those conferences, he referenced a phrase that clicked with me and I've regarded it as the way I do business ever since.