Kevin Jones is helping to shape the minds of the next generation of entrepreneurs with Business in a Bucket Program, a program that provides young people with occupational skills to start their own businesses. Here, the visionary offers best business practices for entrepreneurs on how to duplicate success. –yvette caslin
Provide some best practices for business owners.
(1) Learn the language of your business. The library is free.
(2) Stay true to your business. If you re an ice cream parlor, sell ice cream and not shoes.
(3) Flexibility versus distractions — learn the difference.
(4) Stay away from the dream stealers. You can t always see the dream stealers coming because they come in all shapes and sizes. The only way you know they have been there is because when they leave your dreams have just left with them.
How did you start your business?
It started as a mobile auto-detailing business. My customers would ask questions on how to maintain their automobiles. For example, they’d ask how to remove streaks from the windshield and how to clean chrome wheels. So, I decided to write a book entitled “The Owner’s Guide to Auto Detailing”. It’s self-published, sold on the Internet and in a major auto parts retail chain.
We ve always wanted to expand our product line to include car care products. After a few years on the market with the book, Business in a Bucket was created. We partnered with Northern Labs, Inc., a manufacturer of Formula 1 car care products. They saw our vision.
How has your business helped the community?
Business in a Bucket will allow anyone, male or female, to create an immediate income in the auto-detailing industry. We ve partnered with a national organization committed to grooming young business owners– Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NTE). It allows us to give back to our communities. 
What would you say are some of the biggest mistakes companies make?
Some companies start operating without having their copyrights, trademarks or patents in place before entering the market.
What is the most useful lesson you’ve learned from a mentee or mentor?
One of our mentors, Mr. Dumas Martin, Jr. of The Idea Club, instilled in us from the beginning that “it cannot be just about you.” It took us years to fully understand what he meant. That’s why we’ve partnered with a couple of non-profit organizations that is helping our young people to have dreams and tools to achieve them.
Who is your business role model?
There are a few, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. For example, Tyler Perry inspires us to keep going and never give up. He’s been homeless three times. One quote from him helps keep us going, “It scares me to think where I might be right now if I had given up on my dreams.” None of these business persons had an easy road. If it were easy, everyone would do it.
Finish this sentence: If you want the world to beat a path to your door …
Give the customers what they want and they will come. How do you know what they want? Listen to them.
For more information, please visit www.businessinabucket.net and www.businessinabucket86.blogspot.com.
