Here’s the Schedule Very Successful People Follow Every Day

All too often, productivity tips are a dime a dozen. Some even conflict with each other. What we need is a system.

What’s key is feeling in control and making sure your energy levels are matched to the importance of the task at hand.What schedule do the pros use? What system does science say allows us to be most productive?

Let’s assemble the expert ideas and research we’ve covered into a more cohesive schedule you can apply to your day.

How do you do that? You may want to get your calendar out. We’ve got some changes to make.

1) The Morning Ritual

Laura Vanderkam studied the schedules of high-achievers. What did she find? They rise early. Almost all have a morning ritual.

You need to wake up before the insanity starts. Before demands are made on you. Before your goals for the day have competition.

If you want to achieve work-life balance you need to determine what is important and focus on that. (And research shows goals make you happier.)

Having concrete goals was correlated with huge increases in confidence and feelings of control.

Via The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People:

People who construct their goals in concrete terms are 50 percent more likely to feel confident they will attain their goals and 32 percent more likely to feel in control of their lives. – Howatt 1999

As I’ve discussed before, the second part of your morning ritual is about mood. That feeling of control is what produces grit and makes people persist.

Via The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People:

Research comparing students of similar ability finds that the distinguishing feature between those who maintain a strong work ethic in their studies and those who give up is a sense of control. Those who express a sense of control receive scores that are a full letter grade higher than those who do not. – Mendoza 1999

You’ve got your goal and you’re in control. Cool. But what about when you get to work? I recommend you find somewhere to hide. Here’s why…

2) Important Work First Thing — With No Distractions

Many people arrive at the office and immediately get busy with email and meetings, leaving real work for later in the day… Rookie error.

Research shows that 2.5 to 4 hours after waking is when your brain is sharpest. You want to waste that on a conference call or a staff meeting?

Studies show that alertness and memory, the ability to think clearly and to learn, can vary by between 15 and 30 percent over the course of a day. Most of us are sharpest some two and a half to four hours after waking.

When I interviewed willpower expert Roy Baumeister, what did he have to say? Early morning is also when you’re most disciplined:

The longer people have been awake, the more self-control problems happen. Most things go bad in the evening. Diets are broken at the evening snack, not at breakfast or in the middle of the morning. Impulsive crimes are mostly committed after midnight.

But does this really work? In studies of geniuses, most did their best work early in the day.

“But why did you say I need to hide somewhere?”

Because distractions make you stupid. These days it’s hard to do much real work at work.

Can’t do the work of your choice when the day starts? Get in early or work from home before you head into the office.

So you’re making progress on the thing that matters. But you can’t sprint for miles. What do you do when your brain gets tired?

3) Regroup When You Slow Down

Afternoon brain fog. We’ve all felt it. Why does this happen? Working too hard? Food coma? Often it’s just our natural circadian rhythm:

First, take a break. Get a snack or a power nap if you can.

What you need next is a mini-version of your morning ritual. Review your goals and the progress you’ve made this morning.

Harvard research shows nothing is more motivating than progress. Appreciating how far they’ve come is what very persistent people do.

Via The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People:

Comparing people who tend to give up easily with people who tend to carry on, even through difficult challenges, researchers find that persistent people spend twice as much time thinking, not about what has to be done, but about what they have already accomplished, the fact that the task is doable, and that they are capable of it. – Sparrow 1998

You got a break, reviewed your goals and achievements, and now you’re ready to work again. What do you focus on now?

4) Meetings, Calls and People Stuff In The Afternoon

When energy is high, that’s when you want to focus on creative, challenging work. When energy is low, do busy work.

Scott Adams, creator of “Dilbert“, makes comics in the morning. By the afternoon, his brain is fuzzy and he shifts his objectives.

Via How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big:

One of the most important tricks for maximizing your productivity involves matching your mental state to the task… At 6:00 A.M. I’m a creator, and by 2:00 P.M. I’m a copier… It’s the perfect match of my energy level with a mindless task.

And research shows the afternoon really is the best time for meetings —specifically, 3PM.

Need to power through some busy work but you can’t muster the willpower? This is when distraction can benefit you.

When tasks are dull and you’re feeling distractable, friends can make you more productive — even if they’re not helping.

Via Friendfluence: The Surprising Ways Friends Make Us Who We Are:

Just having friends nearby can push you toward productivity. “There’s a concept in ADHD treatment called the ‘body double,’ ” says David Nowell, Ph.D., a clinical neuropsychologist from Worcester, Massachusetts. “Distractable people get more done when there is someone else there, even if he isn’t coaching or assisting them.” If you’re facing a task that is dull or difficult, such as cleaning out your closets or pulling together your receipts for tax time, get a friend to be your body double.

So the work day is over. Is that it? Nope. There’s an optimal way to handle your schedule after the sun goes down too.

5) A Relaxing Evening

Though successful people do work long hours, the greats almost all take the evening off to recharge.

Before dinner, Tim Ferriss recommends writing down your big goal for tomorrow. This will get your mind off work and allow you to relax.

What does research say can help you chill out? Hint: don’t trust your instincts.

The things we frequently choose to reduce stress are often the least effective.

What does work? Seeing friends and active hobbies. What doesn’t? More passive activities like TV, video games and eating.

Via The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do To Get More of It:

According to the American Psychological Association, the most effective stress-relief strategies are exercising or playing sports, praying or attending a religious service, reading, listening to music, spending time with friends or family, getting a massage, going outside for a walk, meditating or doing yoga, and spending time with a creative hobby. (The least effective strategies are gambling, shopping, smoking, drinking, eating, playing video games, surfing the Internet, and watching TV or movies for more than two hours.)

Past that, get to bed. Studies of world class performers show they have boundless energy, so get those zzz’s to be one of them.

No, you can’t cheat yourself on sleep and not see negative effects.

What does brain research tell us about cutting corners at bedtime? You’re basically making yourself stupid:

The bottom line is that sleep loss means mind loss. Sleep loss cripples thinking, in just about every way you can measure thinking. Sleep loss hurts attention, executive function, immediate memory, working memory, mood, quantitative skills, logical reasoning ability, general math knowledge.

So how do we bring this all together to be more successful?

Sum Up

Here’s what a successful schedule looks like:

1. Your Morning Ritual
2. Important Work First Thing — With No Distractions
3. Regroup When You Slow Down
4. Meetings, Calls And Little Things In The Afternoon
5. A Relaxing Evening

Sadly, we can’t all dictate our own schedule. That’s why there are no specific times listed above.

But we can all opt to do some things before or after others. Stop focusing on just getting lots of random things done to pretend you’re making progress.

All moments in your day are not equal, and all tasks are not of equal importance.

Knowing the best time to get the right things done is key.

What will this schedule do for you? Well, when the day ends you’restill going to find that you didn’t get everything done.

But that won’t bother you much because you did the things that mattered, and did them well.

From TIME

9 'Mindsets' You Need to Switch From Employee to Entrepreneur

Mindset is probably the major determinant of success in pretty much every walk of life. In other words, the thinking patterns you habitually adopt largely govern the results you achieve.

But different circumstances and situations require different mindsets, something that anyone looking to leave paid employment and strike out on their own, must be aware of. Unfortunately, not all would-be entrepreneurs understand the dramatic mindset shifts required, without which business success is unlikely.

So how, as a one-time employee, will you have to think differently to succeed?

1. You’re responsible for all decisions - good and bad. Entrepreneurs have an incredible opportunity to create something from nothing, in a way that’s not possible working for someone else. But this means making big decisions about what must be done, when and how. You can’t wait for things to happen, or for someone to tell you what to do, you must make them happen. Successful entrepreneurs also understand that opportunities may be short-lived, and so develop a sense of urgency that helps them achieve their goals.

2. You need to hold both short and long-term visions simultaneously. Work for others and you are mainly responsible for ensuring that what needs to be done now, is done. As an entrepreneur, you have to project your mind forward, thinking about the potential pitfalls and opportunities that lie around the corner, and making decisions based on uncertainty. This requires you to come to terms with the fact that what you do, or don't do, today, will have an impact on your business three months, even five years down the line.

3. Feeling uncomfortable is your new ‘comfort zone.’ As an employee, you’re used to thinking ‘inside the box’ rather than outside it. As an entrepreneur, there is no box. You see what others don’t, test new ideas, seize new territory, take risks. This requires courage, a thick skin and the ability to keep going despite rejection and skepticism.

4. Learning is a continuous journey. As an employee, you have a job description, requiring a specific skill-set. Being an entrepreneur involves learning many new skills, unless you have the funds to outsource what you're not good at or don't want to do. That could be learning to set up a spreadsheet, getting investors on board, marketing your ideas, crafting your perfect pitch, or using unfamiliar technology. What needs to be done, has to be done - there is no room for excuses.

5. Numbers don’t lie. Where numbers are concerned, it’s enough for most employees to know what’s coming in and what’s going out. As an entrepreneur, you’d better learn to love numbers fast, because your cash flow is what will keep you in – or out of – business. Ultimately, it’s your sales, costs, profit and loss that will either give you sleepless nights or an enviable lifestyle. But without the guiding light of numbers, your business will be continually heading for the rocks.

6. Love your business, but be objective. As an employee, you can go on doing something you dislike just for the salary. As an entrepreneur, you will need to love your business because of the effort and long hours required. But you mustn’t fall into the trap of thinking and acting like an employee in your own company, working ‘in’ rather than ‘on’ the business, a ‘technician’ rather than the person who steers it forward.

7. Enjoy breaking rules. As an employee, breaking the rules could mean dismissal. Entrepreneurs on the other hand, aren’t interested in the status quo – they’re always looking for ways to do things differently. That means acquiring a global perspective, always peering over the horizon, or at least towards it, to where the next big thing is waiting.

8. Time isn’t linear. As an employee, you have a timetable to work to. As an entrepreneur, while you might not be tied to a desk or computer 24/7, you will always be thinking about your business, what it’s doing well and what it could be doing better. There will be no respite – you will live and breathe it.

9. Start now. Most people under-estimate the time it takes to make the transition to entrepreneur, so it’s sensible to start shifting your mindset while you’re still employed, perhaps even setting up a business to run alongside. This could give you the opportunity to develop skills and build experience while still enjoying the safety-net of a salary, something that at some point you will almost certainly need to give up if you want to grow your business.

So, employee or entrepreneur? Is it time to switch? The choice is yours.

From Entrepreneur

5 Ways to Adapt to the Overworked Entrepreneurial Lifestyle

An entrepreneur is someone who works 23 hours a day for themselves to avoid working one hour a day for someone else.

If you’re working for yourself, you know that this is one of those jokes that we all laugh at, and shake our heads over, because it’s so (unfortunately) true. Adapting to the workflow and emotional changes that come when you transition to entrepreneurship are difficult for just about everyone.

Why is that the case? Because the stakes are higher working for yourself. You probably got into this because of some kind of personal passion. It’s no longer about someone else’s vision. Everything will bear your name and, ultimately, there is no corporate entity issuing apologies through its legal team if there’s a big mess-up. It’ll be you.

Like many entrepreneurs, I learned the hard way that when I focused solely on making money so I could pay the bills, I was miserable. It felt like I was constantly failing. It took time before I realized adapting to the lifestyle changes of entrepreneurship requires far, far more than keeping track of admin tasks or booking clients. Here are five ways to avoid the common pitfalls that create entrepreneurial stress and burn-out, especially in the earliest years when things are new and uncertain.

1. Base your success metrics on what truly matters in your business. When you ask someone what it takes to create a successful business, they’ll often say things like “money” or “time.” Most entrepreneurs would feel more successful, day-to-day, if they used a different metric of success: fulfillment.

Make your first priority feeling fulfilled by how you're spending your time. Aim for for the feeling of "fulfillment" over metrics that are inevitably going to come and go, such as money. Start by asking yourself, as you’re sitting down to each meal: “Is this fulfilling?” If it’s not, inquire within: “Why not? What do I need to shift?”

2. Make time each week for studying other people’s models, and then adapt to do it your own way. I spent a lot of time doing things the way I thought I “had to” because I thought that someone else’s way would automatically transfer to me. It takes time to figure out that when someone shares a path to business success, they’re really sharing what worked for them. There are bound to be some good takeaways, but you’ve always got to map out your own blueprint.

There are no shortcuts. Study the success stories. Emulate their frameworks. Modify as necessary.

3. Remember that you’re being of service. Working for yourself, it’s easy to quickly get hung up on cash flow. That invites all sorts of comparisons when our bank accounts are stagnant.

We translate the mentality of being paid by the hour to what we do in our day-to-day, thinking more hours worked should translate to more hours of pay. In fact, as you ask your business to take up greater space in your life, and as you take on more responsibilities, you will not necessarily see an immediate boom. In the early years of building your business, keep focused on the service you're providing through your work. That is far less stressful than constantly calculating how many hours you're working .

4. Start asking for help, early, and often. This can be tough for the independently-minded entrepreneur who might have become accustomed to DIY and boot-strapping. Hiring a virtual assistant or finding an app that handles routine tasks is just one part of this lifestyle change.

Ask for the kind of help that enables you to offload some responsibilities. Ask your partner to help with more housework, or hire a once-a-week housecleaner, or just accept that the house will be messier. Start doing this early, and do it often.

5. Practice regular self-care. No excuses. It might seem like there’s “no time” for self-care but burnout is an even harder hole to climb out of. Treat self-care like an appointment with a client. You would not miss that appointment, so raise the bar and treat yourself with the same level of accountability.

In the earliest days of being an entrepreneur, your focus might be on “how” to spend your time. You might find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of suggestions on time managemen. Perhaps you’ve mapped out how you’ll spend each hour of the day on a grid somewhere, only to find that (once again) the week doesn’t happen in quite the way you’ve planned.

With so many unpredictable unknowns, it’s easy to start wondering: Should I be doing this?

Integrate fulfillment, learning other frameworks, being of service, asking for help, and regular self-care into your new entrepreneurial lifestyle. Then you can spend less time on the drama of “figuring it all out” and more time fully in the moment of where your business is, right here and right now. That’s the place where you’ll get the best answers about the next step to take as you navigate new terrain.

From Entrepreneur

What Gets These 30 Entrepreneurs Out of Bed Every Day

For some, it’s their family. For others, it’s saving the world. When it comes down to it, every entrepreneur has a driving inspiration.

Entrepreneurship may be oh-so-trendy right now, but owning your own business is hard work with long hours, unpredictable pay, countless naysayers, and almost always, fumbles along the way. So why do entrepreneurs do it? What drives them?

As part of National Small Business Week, one small-business owner from each U.S. state (and D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam) is being honored on Capitol Hill this week. Nominees submitted applications the final state winner was chosen by a regional director with the Small Business Administration.

Entrepreneur.com checked in with the state small business honorees and asked them: “Where do you find inspiration for your business?”

Here’s a look at some of our favorite answers. Responses have been gently edited for clarity and grammatical correctness. 

1. Dr. Shieh’s Clinic & Associates

Entrepreneur: Thomas Shieh, MD, FACOG

Headquarters: Tamuning, Guam

My grandmother, who died of cancer, inspired me to go into the field of medicine and before she died, she said to make a positive difference in whatever field that I choose to practice.

2. Blake’s All Natural Foods

Entrepreneur: Chris Licata

Headquarters: Concord, N.H.

That is an easy question to answer: my family. Every aspect of Blake’s – our brand promise, strategic direction, daily decision and the meals that ultimately make it to the shelves – these are all inspired by family.  We want to be the trusted choice by busy families, college students, retirees, etc that understand the benefits of natural and organic food but simply don’t have the time to prepare their favorite meals from scratch.  That pretty much describes our family perfectly so every aspect of our business is a direct reflection on not only our corporate values but our family values too. 

3. Janska, LLC

Entrepreneur: Jan Erickson, Owner, Founder & President; Jon Thomas, Co-Founder & Vice President

Headquarters: Colorado Springs, Colo.

Our customers inspire us. Just today we received an email from a wholesale customer who related that while in New York City a woman joined her on an elevator wearing a Janska coat. When our wholesale customer complimented her on it, the woman said that it was her favorite coat and people have stopped her many times on the streets of New York to ask her where she purchased it. This is just one of dozens of examples of how our customers inspire us to do what we do every day. We are passionate about creating apparel that combines comfort with style and to manufacture flawless garments right here in the USA.

4. APSCO, Inc.

Entrepreneur: Larry Mocha

Headquarters:  Tulsa, Okla.

I try very hard to listen to successful people and read what they read.  For example, Good to Great was recommended to me and was and is a source of inspiration for me.

5. Fusion Hospitality

Entrepreneur: Bhupender "Bruce" Patel

Headquarters: Tupelo, Miss.

I grew up in the hospitality industry. The inspiration for Fusion Hospitality came from the desire to meaningfully build on a family business.  

6. Express Kitchens

Entrepreneur: Max Kothari

Headquarters: Hartford, Conn.

I was running a small hardware store in the north end of Hartford doing two million dollars in annual revenue in a tough inner city neighborhood. Professor Michael Porter from Harvard wrote a paper on inner city revivals. They picked two people, one from North Carolina and me, to go to Harvard in their Owner President Management program. We were with CEOs that did over 100 million dollars in business. The basic concept was to teach people how to fish rather than give them fish as a mechanism of inner city job growth. I wrote the Express Kitchen business plan in 2002. Today, our revenue for Express Kitchen is expected to reach $18 million and the hardware store my wife runs is expected to reach revenue over $6 million. Between the two stores, we have over 100 employees and make $24 million in annual revenue. It’s the same location, same inner-city neighborhood, same work force, but the difference is an educated and inspired leadership. 

7. PARS Environmental, Inc.

Entrepreneur: Kiran K. Gill, President and CEO

Headquarters: Robbinsville, N. J.

My inspiration for my business continues through being able to solve challenging environmental issues for our clients, and playing a positive role in the stewardship of our environment.  I am also inspired by the significant opportunities for growth and new technologies in the environmental field.

8. High Plains Architects

Entrepreneurs: Randy and Janna Hafer

Headquarters: Billings, Mont.

Our “place” – Montana. And our people.

9. Bleed Blue Tattoo and Piercing

Entrepreneur: Thomas Ray Conrett, a.k.a. Tommy Ray

Headquarters: Lexington, Ky.

Within my clients and their stories.

10.  Green Technologies

Entrepreneurs: Dr. Amir A. Varshovi and Marla K. Buchanan, JD

Headquarters: Gainesville, Fla.

My inspiration comes from my conviction that sustainable processes and products are critical for the future of our world and our environment.

11. BrightFields, Inc.

Entrepreneurs: Mark A. Lannan and Marian R. Young

Headquarters: Wilmington, Del.

Our employees and our customers – in that order. 

12. Best Bath Systems Inc.

Entrepreneur: Gary Multanen

Headquarters: Caldwell, Idaho

We get inspiration from the end users of our Best Bath Systems accessible bathing units. Because we are the manufacturer, we are in the unique position to listen to customers and make changes or develop new products based on their feedback.  

13. Spectrum Aeromed

Entrepreneur: Dean Atchison

Headquarters: Fargo, N.D.

We have a simple mission at Spectrum Aeromed, to save lives. We all agree it’s a critically important undertaking and we are motivated daily to design and build great air medical equipment for our customers around the globe as they work to save lives.

The Spectrum Aeromed team in their Fargo, N.D., production facility.

Image credit: Spectrum Aeromed

14. EverLast Lighting, Inc.

Entrepreneur: Michael Olen Nevins

Headquarters: Jackson, Mich.

My business is based on lighting and human factors, and how we can encourage healthier living.  The company was founded in 1997, based off of a personal need. The company originated on the principle that people who spent the majority of their day indoors needed healthy, full spectrum light in order to lead a productive and happy life.  Slowly the business transitioned from not only residential products, but also energy-efficient lighting solutions for commercial and industrial applications by launching the EverLast brand and product line a few years later.

15. Custom Aircraft Cabinets, Inc.

Entrepreneur: Co-Owners Mike Gueringer and Paul Reesnes

Headquarters: Sherwood/North Little Rock, Ark.

Most of our management team has been with CAC for over 15 years.  The short answer is “passion.”  We are passionate about providing the best customer experience through unmatched quality and service. Passion for the niche market we serve drives the inspiration to be the best.

16. Tomato Palms LLC

Entrepreneur: Nancy P. Ogburn

Headquarters: Irmo, S.C.

My inspiration comes from the fact that my company’s mission is to keep materials out of the landfill. I tell people we are saving the earth one bottle at a time. It feels great!!  We also donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of aluminum cans to local homeless shelters each year. That is a win/win for us.

17. Metaphrasis Language & Cultural Solutions, LLC.

Entrepreneur: Elizabeth Colón

Headquarters: Chicago, Ill.

My inspiration came from seeing individuals who were not proficient in English struggle with communicating when they were trying to access services in the healthcare, education or social service agencies. When you think about the breakdown in communication due to language barriers, you realize that these individuals feel powerless so I felt that it was my responsibility as the daughter of parents who also did not speak English to create a business where we can solve this disparity.

18. TEVET, LLC

Entrepreneur: Tracy D. Solomon

Headquarters:  Mosheim, Tenn.

When I am in front of a customer and they tell me why they love to do business with TEVET, why they prefer TEVET over the competition, and that my employees are going above and beyond to take care of them: This is where I find my inspiration. Also I find inspiration from my team. My team is highly involved and has brought great ideas to the table.

19. PracticeLink.com and MountainPlex Properties: The Guest House on Courthouse Square, Radio AM 1380, The Market Courthouse Square, The Ritz Theatre, Otter & Oak Outfitter

Entrepreneur: Ken Allman

Headquarters: Hinton, W. Va.

I find inspiration when our teams identify a need and engage the challenge of providing a solution. It’s also inspiring when our communities and industries find value in our efforts—and we’re grateful for the opportunity to serve.

20. Strider Sports International, Inc.

Entrepreneur: Ryan McFarland

Headquarters: Rapid City, S.D.

Our business is building bikes that help kids learn to ride.  To stay inspired and motivated, I like to spend time riding (refueling myself) and spend time interacting with end users, the kids on our bikes (understanding their true need).

21. Virtual Enterprise Architects, LLC

Entrepreneur: LaKeshia Grant

Headquarters: Washington, DC

I'm inspired by my employees. I have the most dynamic, diverse and entertaining employees who keep me motivated. We are a family and as the matriarch of the family, I must ensure that their needs are met. This allows me to always seek opportunities to keep them employed and allow others to join us. Without a culture of teamwork and family, we would not be as successful as we are.

22. Golden Cannoli Shells Co. Inc.

Entrepreneur: Valerie Bono, Maria Elena Bono Malloy, Eric Bresciani, Edwin Bresciani

Headquarters: Chelsea, Mass.

As a second-generation business owner, inspiration is just walking in the door and seeing what our fathers created with pride, passion and persistence. Now it's up to use to continue the core values and continue to grow.

23. Triangle Rock Club

Entrepreneurs: Joel Graybeal and Andrew Kratz, managing partners

Headquarters: Morrisville, N.C.

Our mission statement is “to transform and enhance people’s lives by enthusiastically sharing our passion for climbing.”  It’s incredibly inspirational to hear how we’re doing that.  One of our customers just posted their engagement picture on our Facebook page. This couple’s first date was at our original location – he proposed at our newest location.  A mom of one of our youth climbing team participants told me “climbing has changed her son’s life.” Seeing people’s lives changed as a result of their experience with our company is truly incredible – it doesn’t get any better than that! 

24. TailsSpin Pet Food & Accessories

Entrepreneurs: Co-owners Jusak Yang Bernhard and Jeffrey A. Manley

Headquarters: Savannah, Pooler and Macon, Ga.

Our three rescued dogs, Kai, Riley, and Cosmo. They give us their unconditional love. They are the reasons why we started our pet store. They are always grateful to be with us…to see us. This is what they teach us. Without sounding corny, we believe our sense of being grateful is the main reason of our success.

25. Switchback Brewing Company

Entrepreneurs:  Bill Cherry and Jeff Neiblum

Headquarters: Burlington, Vt.

In a glass of beer! [Editors' note: In response to question -- where do you find inspiration]

26. MIRACORP

Entrepreneur: Cynthia M. Reed

Headquarters: Mesa, Ariz.

Providing secure jobs for my employees.

27. House of Bread Anchorage

Entrepreneurs: Ginna and John Baldiviez

Headquarters: Anchorage, Alaska

Meeting new customers each and every day inspires us to keep improving the quality of our products and service.

28. Proventix Systems, Inc.

Entrepreneur: Harvey Nix

Headquarters: Birmingham, Ala.

Hospital infections do not discriminate. They harm young and old alike, leaving scars, causing pain and sometimes even death. The more infections we prevent, the better off we all are. Proventix developed the nGage quality monitoring system to improve patient safety and quality of care in hospitals. The system monitors hand hygiene 24/7 to change behaviors, encourage compliance and ultimately, reduce the human and economic costs associated with these infections.

29. Coffee By Design

Entrepreneurs: Co-founders Mary Allen Lindemann and Alan Spear

Headquarters: Portland, Maine

At Coffee By Design, we believe that a great cup of coffee can change the world.  We find inspiration for our business both locally as well as worldwide.  Being a coffee roaster as well as retailer, we have the opportunity to visit and see firsthand the farmers from whom we buy our coffee beans.  These trips remind us that the way in which we do business makes a difference.  Since coffee is mostly grown in Third World countries, we see how by paying a sustainable price for an extraordinary product helps to create and support sustainable economies.  We believe that getting to know our coffee partners and their families, we form a long term relationship which benefits us all.  

Mary Allen Lindemann and Alan Spear, co-founders and owners of Coffee By Design, in front of their first store, which opened 20 years ago this July.

Image credit: Coffee By Design

On a local level, having opened our business in Portland, Maine in 1994 when the vacancy rate was 40 percent in our downtown, we see how our efforts and those of so many others have made a difference in raising awareness that locally owned small business is vital to our community.  We are inspired every day by the small businesses around us that when told "no, you can't do that", say "why not?" and create amazing businesses which make Portland, Maine unique. 

30. Lightwell, formerly known as Oxford Consulting Group, Inc.

Entrepreneur: Michelle Kerr

Headquarters: Columbus, Ohio

Every time I walk the through a customer factory or customer service and see our solutions embedded into their organizations, I am so inspired. Getting the opportunity to partner with such a broad and diverse variety of companies is so rewarding. It makes me want to do be more creative, more innovative, the trusted advisor our customers have come to rely on us to be!

From Entrepreneur