Today while out a lunch I witnessed the perfect reminder for the power of “enthusiasm” Small business owners and entrepreneurs often over look the importance of this under used tool in the business owners tool belt. Enthusiasm is powerful and infectious and when it is genuinely harvested it has the ability to transform any experience. No mater what your business is, what venture you are operating or what start up you are pitching let enthusiasm guide your path. Harness the power of enthusiasm and  your positive radiance will surely kick start, revive, or drive your business.

So what has spawned my sudden enthusiasm for well…enthusiasm! Willy the owner and operator of a small hot dog shop in North Hollywood called Vicious Dogs. Willy has enough enthusiasm for all of us. He runs his small hot dog restaurant with passion and pride and he displays his enthusiasm at every turn.

From the moment you walk into Vicious Dogs your are quickly greeted by a jovial “hello how can I help you today!” Quickly with out the slightest prompting he will pitch you the dogs off of his menu quicker than the reverend can spout the gospel. His great chrism is followed by a trite story “this is the dog that built this restaurant” as he displays like he is a man passionate about hot dogs but he is no huckster he is just a enthusiastic friend sitting behind a counter ready to give you the best hot dog in the world.

Now the hot dog was amazing but I have a feeling that he could have served a basic ketchup and mustard hot dog on white bread and you would have left there satisfied.

The reason for this is he didn’t limit his enthusiasm to cooking the hot dog routinely he walks through the restaurant thanking his patrons for eating at his restaurant and immediately gathering feedback on their experience. He is truly invested in his customers happiness and effortlessly he builds customer loyalty. His enthusiastic business approach didn’t stop there. As soon as the line in his restaurant disappeared he quickly strolled out side and with in minutes his upbeat conversation had lured five new customers right into the shop ready to try out his energetic hot dog creations.

So what can we learn from this? It doesn’t matter who you are or what your business is people are drawn to enthusiasm. The simple act of being enthusiastic about his hot dogs was enough to entice people to take a shot on his restaurant.

As small business owners and entrepreneurs we are always up against the big guys in the industry but one way they can never compete with the hands-on business owner is in the area of passion. Your passion and enthusiasm for what you do is a competitive advantage that can not be easily duplicated or manufactured but it is quickly contagious, your employes and co-workers will be instantly struck by your enthusiasm allowing them to utilize their own internal enthusiasm.

Going forward don’t be afraid to let your patrons and co-workers see your passion let them share in your enthusiasm. Sharing enthusiasm is the perfect brand building platform. When we experience a brand with genuine enthusiasm it sticks with us and we feel like we where apart of a magic moment! Build loyalty with your customers and establish a strong competitive advantage using the power of “enthusiasm”

Be like Willy and let the enthusiasm fly!