When I started, there was little to no information available on the type of business I was in. Books about business were useless or irrelevant. (The one exception, Growing a Business, by Paul Hawken, which was somewhat useful.) Not only couldn't I get any advice from other business owners, but they wouldn't even talk to me. Especially the Downtowners (all of who are gone now.) 

I flailed around, making mistake after mistake, and worse--I let it show. I didn't hide anything. I was willing to share --and in return, I felt most other business owners considered me a fool.  I tried to figure it out myself. By the time I went up the COCC for the small business counseling, I'd learned enough that the advisor told me I had a "primitive sophistication," which I took as a compliment, not an insult. 

He made me put together a business plan, gave me a little advice, and helped me get a business loan. 

And then I was on my own again. 

So it's frustrating to have learned so much, to have a store that is far exceeding my expectations, which is finally performing at the levels I aspired to 40 years ago, and not be able to pass that information on. 

What I have learned is--everyone goes their own way. No takes unsolicited advice. Everyone has to learn everything the hard way. 

It's a shame, because I can show them some "tricks" but whenever I've done that, they have ignored me, bless their little hearts.