Many small business owners start or buy a company without realizing the vital areas of business skills they must master to become successful. 8 SIMPLE SECRETS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS identifies the eight most important areas, and how working with a mentor can make learning much easier. This compelling book, in a narrative format, follows one business owner, struggling in the changing commercial landscape, as she works with a business advisor. The advisor keeps her focused on one vital area at a time, and together they find a way to achieve long-term prosperity. Proficiency in the following four areas is necessary for owners to just survive day-to-day: making the products they sell, working with the people who keep the company going, selling the product and, finally, monitoring finances. To thrive in the future, they must be competent in the remaining four areas: continually improving their products, leading the people who will help the company grow, marketing products for future sales, and strategically planning the companys future.