Last night, I facilitated a panel discussion of coaches and consultants on the topic of building successful businesses. If you’ve never had a chance to ask a group of regular business people what they’ve done that’s worked, I can tell you it’s a real kick.

The event was billed as learning from "giants." One of the panelists before the event expressed some embarrassment that she would be considered a giant. What I discovered is that all five panelists had themselves stood on the shoulders of giants to get to where they are today. This ranged from adapting business models from millionaire entrepreneurs to participating in Mastermind groups based on Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich book to hiring great mentors. Success is created with the help of others, not by oneself.

This was a seemingly disparate group of entrepreneurs–they had different niches and varying backgrounds in large corporations or small businesses or long-time freelancers. Some were introverted and some clearly extroverted. One recently had a baby and another was old enough to have grandchildren. Two had no professional coach training but were clearly in demand as coaches.

What was fascinating were the similarities between all five:

• All have a background in marketing and really enjoy the marketing part of their business. Even more interesting was that even though all five knew the "right" things to do intellectually, they implemented key marketing concepts at different times and some not at all. For example, one panelist is a great networker but she has no regular way of connecting with her audience–no database, no ezine, no blog, no autoresponders. She relies on people who have met her years ago to contact her for her services. And they do.

• All are great at noticing and tracking what is working and what isn’t. Who is buying from them and who is not. What clients are coming to them for. They don’t waste time doing the same things with poor results. They are willing to try out new stuff.

• All tap into lots of sources for knowledge and wisdom. Free teleclasses, books, magazine articles, their own spirituality, mentors. These people learn not just from their own experience but that of others. They are avid learners. In fact, the panelists started comparing notes on different topics during the
  discussion.

• As one of the audience members noted, the panelists have a vibrancy to them when they are talking about their businesses. They clearly enjoy being in business for themselves. Even though the journey may have had its rough moments, my guess is that they enjoyed the journey as much as the destinations.

• Their businesses are a tapestry of their skills and interests. The panelists offer a variety of services, suited to their background, expertise and passion. One loves to play with words and helps clients with resumes in addition to facilitating groups on creativity. Another is a natural storyteller and speaker as well as a teacher and coach to real-estate agents.

• All speak first about the results they provide the client, before saying how they do it or what type of business they run. They understand that clients buy results, not methods or credentials.

• All are passionate about being business people first. They have financial goals. They count their accountant as a critical part of their team.

Well, I could go on and on about what I learned. Instead, if you are interested in being an entrepreneur or already are one, I invite you to call up your favorite small business owner, whether it’s the woman who runs the dry cleaner or your local dentist or a well-regarded financial planner. Take them out to lunch and have a long chat. You’ll be surprised at what you learn.