DeLand, Florida: Pete Gregory says, "My best friend should be my (small business) competitor. We need to be talking with each other. We have bigger competitors to fight than each other. And by joining forces and joining heads, you know, we can generally come to a better resolve on what we need to do on a more local basis."

These are the folks just at the top of Main Street of this lovely town. It is a quintessential hardware store that serves every one within this fine town -- artists, builders, contractors, interior designers and decorators, restoration experts, and the weekend warriors working on their "honey-do" list.

So exquisitely restored, this Main Street has earned them the right to be listed among "The Great American Cities."

In one of our last conversations with Pete, he told us that John had retired; he bought the business, yet he was ready to sell. The store had lost its lustre for him. Even the little things got out of control. Pete had a claim from a sweet lady who thought his best friend, Gypsy (the ever-playful hound), was a rug. She stepped on Gypsy and fell. Pete's insurance carrier said either the dog stays at home or the policy gets cancelled.

All things said, Pete sold the business at the end of the year in 2005. Until updated with interviews with those who are carrying on, this is the last time this particular episode will be aired.

TESTIMONIAL: There is a major discussion about the Main Street program in this show. DeLand was cited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as the first in the nation for the bringing her downtown back to life. A teenager was heard saying, "Wow, this is like Disneyland, but it's the real thing." More...

• Contact:
  FEASEL PAINT & GLASS
  247 North Woodland Boulevard
  DeLand, FL 32721-1421
  Tel: 386-734-2122
  URL: DeLand's Main Street
  URL: DeLand City Hall

We invite your questions or comments.

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• LOOK AT STEP 5: EMPLOYEES. Pete and John look for employees who will be with them forever. Stands to reason. Look at how John became the owner of a business. He was an employee - apprentice - sweat-equity partner. Think about it. It may be a way for some of our viewers to become owners. Today, we would recommend that you have a clear agreement up front.

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• NATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS / LOCAL CHAMBERS. There are national trade associations for every industry and business sector. These associations are the most relevant resources for continuing education and networking for small business owners. We are not alone.
  
  Some of the industry types represented within this episode of the show:
  Arts: Interior designers, architects, and restoration artists - all customers
  Construction: Builders and contractors -- all customers
  Education: Informal town hall meetings at the coffee shop
  Finances: Economic development people
  Information: Technology upgrades
  Retail - Retail - Retail

• FIRST PRINCIPLES: Starting a business is the road to economic independence for most of us average people. Read a little more to see why incorporating a business keeps the passion of the American revolution alive!

• CASES BY BUSINESS TYPE. Click on the heading to find all the business types and then click on your type of business to check out those case studies.