Plain Talk From Ed Lowe

During his life, Ed used “plain talk” to speak about the bottom line from the bottom of his heart. We believe these articles, which have been updated after his death, offer value for both your business and personal life.

Heart and soul

To score success, you must be willing to make mistakes

Remember Chicken Litter? I’m not surprised; it got about as far off the ground as a hen in flight. But...

Remember what business you’re in

When people ask you about the nature of your business, do you answer correctly? This may seem hard to...

You set the pace for employees

It may just be me, but I think that entrepreneurs make lousy golfers. I’ve tried golf, but I feel like...

Treat your best employees like you can’t live without them — because you can't

This column is one in a series that will explore the thoughts, ideas and unadorned advice of an entrepreneur...

Start with your head, leave with your heart

This may be the last thing on your mind right now, but unless you’re carried out in a box, all entrepreneurs...

Hire the best, then let it rest

When I invented Kitty Litter in 1947, being an overbearing boss was the last thing on my mind. Quite...

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Learning how to focus

Never call time out when you’re winning

Everybody knows the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare, and what happened to the rabbit when he stopped...

If you don’t love it, you’ll probably leave it

nce after I spoke at a college commencement ceremony, a young graduate approached me with a question....

If you can't be a fox, be a junkyard dog

My friend Kenny Rogers sang one of the most famous pieces of advice in country music: “You gotta know...

Never invest in anything that needs paint

This rule came from my Grandpa Huber. Actually, it was part of a trio of warnings he gave me, including,...

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Remain grounded

Feed the cat first: Its basic needs must be met before you move on

I had a cat. Actually, I hosted several of Michigan’s most pampered felines at our research center for...

Advertising is a reminder — selling is the real issue

It’s tempting for an entrepreneur to dump a bunch of money into advertising to tell the world about his...

Don’t get too big for your britches

That’s one of the warnings my Grandpa Huber always gave me, and I’ll wager you heard something similar...

Pondering: going one-on-one with yourself

Think back to when you launched your business. I doubt whether you dashed out and did it on a whim. You...

Don't forget where you came from

When I was growing up, there was this old man who lived just outside town. When strangers asked directions,...