In a world where businesses come and go every day, the common goal for businessmen is to stand the test of time, be built to last. Some have the resources for a great head start.

Others have the privilege of knowing people who know people. But what about those people who are just getting started with their very own home business?

The thing that matters is, not only should businessmen know people, the people should know the businessmen. Jeff Barson of Surface Medical Spas, stresses the importance of networking and branding.

Businessmen may not refer to themselves as "brands" the way we look at corporate logos and what not. However, potential clients and consumers refer to business IS branding. Jeff writes as an example, "I get inquires from between 5 and 10 physicians each week who are looking to learn how to open or run a medical spa. Why do they call me? They know me."

Jeff's potential clients know that he is in the medical spa business and that Jeff might actually know what he's talking about. For these consumers, when the words "medical spa" appear on their minds, they immediately think of Jeff Barson's Surface Medical spas.

The business owner himself is the brand. Hopefully, this brand makes other people think of it being honest, intelligent, and motivated. Jeff Barson puts it this way, "People do business with people they know and trust."

Grow your personal network, not by remembering potential contacts, but instead, by having people remember you. Give them something to help them remember you and your business. That way, you will become the go-to person when it comes to matters of your expertise.

via Small Business Branding