How it all came about…

I want to start by telling you how my own business came about. It all happened about three years ago this past April (now 6 years, ed). I was at a flea market knife vendor that I had frequently made purchases from and loved looking over his inventory just as frequently. He knew of my love and interest for knives. While shopping, he recommended that I start a retail knife business of my own so that I could not only help others get all the knives they want for their collection at good prices, but to help build my own collection, at very good prices too. It was a perfectly "God set-up thing." Only God knew how much that I loved knives and collecting them. But, not only for me to be able to move beyond the limitation of seeing only the knives I could buy, to also getting to see those that others would order for themselves too. It was truly heaven for me!

My next step was to get one of the company’s wholesale catalogs. Then, I found how many of what I wanted. You have a minimum order you have to purchase every time. I made sure that I was over it the minimum, but then had a slight problem--MONEY! I began discussing this with my parents and arranged a small loan (well, maybe medium size loan) that I knew I would pay back very soon. Before I knew it, I had paid the loan off and was buying my own stuff “DEBT FREE!” I currently operate only as I can afford to pre-pay, which is a good (and recommended by me) practice for a business.

Through the years, I have developed a regular clientele because of several things that I would like to suggest to you as tips for you to begin and run a good business of your own too.

How to begin and maintain your own business...

1. Look at your own interests... To start your own business, first find what you are interested in. I knew I loved knives so I went in that direction. I have a good friend named Eric Farewell. Eric has just recently started an ultra light airplane brokerage that helps those in need of finding a good deal on an ultra light airplane. He also helps those who want to sell their old ultra light find a good buyer who will take proper care of those planes. I have heard of children having businesses from lemonade stands to selling cokes to baking and selling homemade whole wheat bread to selling knives to buying and selling airplanes. The list is hindered only by personal interest. The sky is the limit, no pun intended!

I know there are many books that tell you to find what makes money and not your passion so you can sell your business later. But, I believe that you need to love what you do or you will not be excellent at it.

My mom has always loved books and writing. This is how our Business/Family Ministry came to be all that it is today. People know they can trust that if my mom says something is good, that it will be more than excellent. Also, her love for people and books keeps her interest in the business during times of hard work and little appreciation. Look at your interests, what you love to do, you will find a good idea for a great business!

2. Develop Godly Character Qualities...To be successful and to last, you must have several important character qualities. I know that we all need to bring these character traits into our every day walk as Christians. But, I think we must have these for our business to not only run, but to last. I believe that whether you are a business owner or a Christian trying to obey the Lord, you can learn from businesses. In fact, I have learned more from helping my mom in her business than I have actually learned from my business so I will share this with you as well as sharing all I learned throughout my knife business.

Servanthood...

Be a servant to both God and your customers. This means to always have a good spirit and don’t hesitate to work harder to find that special item for that customer. Consider the customer's "wants" above all, even your own wants and desires. Also, don’t ever have a “better than thou” attitude toward your customers. When I say “never,” I mean don’t do it or you won’t be in business very long.

In business you cannot judge your customers by appearance or how much you THINK they will “spend.” Every customer is important. In fact, it is very important to know that ALL customers or even browsers are very, very important. Whether they spend money or not, they are important to God. They may just pass by your business without even spending money, yet God may have brought them there to you just for your to minister to them. They are very, very important. Plus, all "paying" customers should be treated equal. This is the key to not only surviving as a business, but the difference in a business that becomes very successful and one that fails. I pray that this article not only helps you stay in business but have a better business than ever before.

Evangelize…

Share God with your customers at every opportunity you get. Remember we are not guaranteed a tomorrow to share the gospel! Also, you do not only have to minister through all out saying, "GET SAVED TODAY." But, you can minister better through your good ethics, dependability, initiative, and the good name of both you and your God!

I have had some of the oddest people that I have ministered to through doing typical business and having the qualities I am sharing today. Like the guy who forgot to pick-up and pay for a knife he ordered at the same time his friend ordered one. As soon as it got in, I asked his friend if he could tell him to pick it up. His friend said, “Dude, went to prison and don’t need that knife.” I gulped and promptly put that knife up for sell.

Looking back over the situation, I see that this was not just a “business deal.” The “business” side of this story would say FAILURE. However, during the time I had taken the order, I was able to talk to him about the Lord. To look back, my hope is that even though it was a short time, that perhaps it will have an impact. That is really how lives are changed. You run across all types and need to learn to roll with the punches in business!

I also had a lot of ways I have ministered through my mom's writing and speaking using these qualities. You will never know the number of times I have unloaded my mom's books and such DISASTERS struck as dumping whole shelf loads of books...or worse I have driven a whole pile of FIVE or SIX boxes of books off of the ramp only to spill at least 4,000 books (Well, what it feels like at the moment!). Then, the temptation of losing my temper and my ministry comes knocking on the door of my heart. But I know that I can trust God to help me through keeping my cool.

I have some more character traits that I wanted to list just to help you with you business...

Dependability

This is when your customers know that if you say that you will do something, then you will do it no matter what. This also would include that if you say that an order will go out on a certain day that it does. It also requires that your words are always truthful and you never cause the customer to think ill of you or your business ethics.

Dependability is the one thing that can take years of hard work to earn from your customers. Remember that you don’t just deserve trust, but you must earn it. The customer must ALWAYS BE RIGHT, even if they are wrong, before you can earn their trust. You must always remember that trust takes time. Don’t forget that your competition may have a better price, but they may not have the customer's trust.

Initiative

This is something that all in business must have. My dad and mom have instilled initiative in me and my sister since we were very, very young. This means getting started without someone else prodding you. Initiative also means that you must always be willing to go the extra mile without quitting, just for your customers. You must also be able to do things yourself. There are many things that an employee cannot do. If your employee does not love the product, the product will not sell. I love certain knives that others would not have as much of a passion for as I do.

Also you have got to be willing to do a certain amount of work for yourself. There is no job or business that is “work-free.” No matter what your business is, there will be work involved. Want to be a success? You must be willing to work hard!

I know a guy who has had more opportunities for good jobs than I could shake a stick at, but if there is any work involved he won’t stay with it for more than a week. This is no way to be. You will end up with both a bad resume and bad bank accounts!

Initiative is something that must be taught and learned at an early age. As a homeschooler, it takes having initiative to even do school work much past about the fifth grade. Most homeschoolers learn good work ethics like initiative from their parents from the very beginning of their school journey. Initiative makes you both a widely sought after employee and employer. There is a great need for both in this day in time.

My grandfather on my mother's side has served Flavorich (now Luvel) as a faithful employee for over 20 years. He has always worked hard. In fact, he can always be depended upon to spot the work to do and do it completely (and with excellence) until it is finished. He was a manager for some time. Finally, one day he approached his boss and told his boss that he “wished to go back to being an employee.” When asked why, he said, “Anyone can be a boss or supervisor, but few can be good employees. I want to be a good employee!”

You can count on Papaw to be a good employee. He will not only do the job, but he has the initiative to do it without prodding or even having to be asked. He knows how important it is to be a good employee in this day and time when there are very few self-motivated and dependable employees.

Spiritual Gifts

I feel that not all of us are leaders and not all of us are servants because God designed us each to be different according to our spiritual gifts. I seriously encourage you to see what your spiritual gifts are that God has given you. It is important to know your gifts, especially in the case of having your own business.

Get to know your gifts. Then, be sure that you pursue only the things that God has equipped you to do through your gifts.

I know for a fact that God has given my little sister the gift of service, and boy does it show! She is always giving you something whether she wanted something for herself or not. She will do for you first. We have to make her stop giving from time to time! That drives her crazy because that is what seems to consume her!

Now my mom is definitely an encourager. All you have to do to see this is just talk to her! I know if any one of you has ever been to one of her workshops, you have seen this. If you don’t know my mom then just take a look at some of her book and tape titles. I doubt that you may find any that are not written JUST to encourage you whether it be through homeschooling or womanhood or marriage. Even through teaching Bible Studies her personal goals are to encourage you!

I know that my dad's gifts lie primarily in the areas of administration and discernment. If you tell a lie to this retired Alabama State Trooper, you will be caught at some point or another. The gift of discernment has saved his life more than a few times. I am glad that God has given him such appropriate spiritual gifts for his calling.

Even looking at my spiritual gifts, there is no wonder that the knife business has been as successful as it is. I love to research any kind of information (even that stuff that normal people call boring!). I did not realize until my mom brought out the fact that I WAS using my spiritual gifts in running my business, that these giftings were necessary for the success of my business.

My customers need to know background on their knives. Some come to me sharing their needs and rely on my suggestion. The research helps so much at this time. Not only that, it really helps the customers to know more about the history of the companies that produce their product.

I have been blessed to correspond by mail with Mr. Charles T. (Chuck) Buck, owner of Buck Knives. In my correspondence I discovered that Mr. Buck is a devout Christian, who attributes his success to the Lord. This really encouraged me, but also it is nice for my customers to KNOW the business better too!

Not just any business can do this. But, using my spiritual gifts in my business allows for me to operate my business in a way that sets my business apart from others and gives me a “niche” in the knife market (Before I began selling knives, I thought that all knife lovers were freaks...it is nice to KNOW that not even a fraction really are!!).

I am glad that God has given us each the most appropriate spiritual gifts he could for our callings. I know that if you are in business you will have the perfect spiritual gifts for that particular business. Get to know your gifts. Then, use them for the glory of God.

Loyalty

Loyalty to both customers and products. You must learn to cast down both your own wants and opinions. First, surrender any thoughts or opinions you may have about your competition. I know that most of us can see that "yes" that product is bad and know that it is dangerous, but you must not downgrade others because they are your competitors.

Another thing, the feelings you may have toward a particular customer must be guarded. If you don’t like "Mister Smith," you still need to be hospitable to him even though he may not be welcome in your home. Go back to the story of the guy who did not pick up his knife that he ordered. My mom would probably KILL ME if I invited this one home for dinner! But, he was a very important customer to me. My business is not just to “sell knives,” but also to help others. To help others, we must lay aside our personal preferences in exchange for loyalty to our customers.

In business, you must be able to hold your opinions for your benefit only. Be good to all customers. Who knows? You may begin to really like and enjoy a rather difficult customer as you minister to him through the years.

Finally, only sell things in business that you or your employees absolutely love. Be loyal to those products. In my mom's business, this is one of the key factors that I see behind her success. She only sells products that we have used, currently use, or plan to use in our home. We have a good conscience in selling any of our products. We know that our customers can depend on them to all be great because we love them and believe completely in them.


Businesses Can Be Better Than School

I can tell you that I have learned more through business than I could have ever learned by just homeschooling with academics only. I came to the end of this past school-year and my mom started saying that I had not been nearly as strict about my schoolwork as I should have been (She always gets like this at that time of year! J). I said, “I have been learning more by helping you with your business than I could have ever learned through just homeschooling.”

I have been answering the phone full-time for my mom’s ministry and believe me it is a full-time job! If I forget that I have that phone on or I am not up at 8:00EST (7:00CST, my time), then I soon will be either thinking that the alarm is sounding a little weird or that I wish I had went to sleep earlier!

I do much of the order processing during the entire year, beginning with helping to get all of the books and tapes produced in an excellent manner. I run the cash register at my mom's retreats. I unload our full bookstore by myself. I have been trying to give my mom some help on her web site. Currently, I manage all of the public relations, even handling her speaking engagements, contracts with conventions and other publishers, and returning any calls for the ministry. Every year, I help with preparing the taxes and deciding on major decisions for the finances of the ministry throughout the following year. I know I am missing something in this list!

This is REAL education! The difference in this method of education and other methods is that this makes sense to me. I feel like my education is as complete as it gets. Business teaches skills that are necessary for life.

I believe that most homeschoolers have the opportunity to learn more than other children that have an ordinary education. I know many homeschoolers whose parents have businesses that have taught them many valuable skills that will prepare them for their entire lives. Business IS better than school!

Copying or Calling?

In closing, I would like shed light on one final important issue in the business area. One of the most important issues to make sure you are careful of is not copying the callings God has for others.

In writing, this is known under the term "plagiarism," but it is just the same as copying. Haydn was once asked how he was able to create so many original compositions. He replied, "I was cut off from the rest of the world...I was forced to be original."

Be sure to take time to really "hear" God about His calling for you. Ask Him what He would have you to do as a business or ministry. Only do that. Be sure that you are doing what you love. This is the only way that you can say, "I didn’t copy you" with a good conscience.

Don’t begin a business because it “looks” profitable or fun when others do it. We do not need “copy-cat” businesses. We need more people beginning businesses that are their true calling.

Never have anything for sale that you would not use yourself. Many people do not buy things off of TV because they say, "That is a scam." Scam. That probably the best word for someone who sells something that they either don’t use or don’t even care about just because they want to “make” money. Sell everything that you offer in your business in a good conscience, in that you use it and love it yourself. Otherwise, they have no reason to just buy your stuff.

I have a knife business, but I want to caution that this is not the calling for all of you. I love all the knives that I sell. I have loved knives since I was three-years-old. There is a lot of work required to have a knife business that many would not think of. Just copying this idea would easily lead to disaster because we need to count all of the costs. Rarely does one who "copies" see or count all of the costs involved.

I have to also say one of the best things you can do is apprentice under someone else’s business or ministry. I have learned more from working with my mom than I thought possible. My mom is a writer, but not all people are called to write books and speak like my mom. As a matter of fact, there are very few who can keep up with all the resources my mom has out, including myself (the chief order man)! I have seen more people try to do the same thing as my mom because it looks fun and easy. Rarely have they counted the costs involved. Just because others do it and it seems profitable or fun, we need more to have a successful business.

Apprenticeships help us to see the REAL costs involved in a business. We see the cost of time, energy, money, and character. More mistakes can be avoided as we learn from others the insights that they have. Then, if this is an area of true calling, you will see ideas for making your business better and develop ideas that can give you your own niche.

Go For It!

I challenge you to find your true calling. Look at your interests. Look at your strengths in your character. Look at your spiritual gifts. Seek God's will for you. Only then will you find the perfect business or ministry just for you!

Enjoy and God bless.
–Matthew E. Rushton, the owner of
Matthew’s Cutting Edge