"Don't ekpect a profit for the first five years. This idea has helped me relax and let my investment in my business grow over time. FIance gurus often suggest letting investments sit for five years before evaluating whether to abandon them and the same has been true for my business. I have been a sole proprietor for over six years and I have found that most of my business growth has come in the last two years. I have also seen my word-of-mouth referrals increase three-fold during the last two years, which tells me that the "Five-year rule" applies to businness as well as investments." (Kristina Gobble, President of EMK Design)