What Entrepreneurs Can Learn From the Amish

According to Erik Wesner’s new book, Success Made Simple:  An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive, over 95% of Amish businesses are around five years after startup.  That’s compared to 80% for nationwide entrepreneurship program alumni and the nationwide average of 50%.  So what is it that the Amish are doing right?

Well, the “secrets” of their success aren’t really all that surprising:

1.  Hard work and long hours;
2.  Strong faith and values;
3.  Family commitment to the business;
4.  Humble leadership; and
5.  Treating the customers well and offering them good value.

Whether you are an entrepreneur, a startup, or a high growth company, those sound like values we can all stand to live and work by.