Here are the highlights from the notes I took from Build-A-Bear CEO, Maxine Clark’s keynote address at Microsoft’s Small Business Summit:

– The American Dream is alive and well.
– Retailing is entertainment. When the customer is having fun, they spend more money.
– Connect (with) and engage your customers.
– Make the customer more important than the deal.
– Have a purpose behind the sale.
– Have a detailed business plan – a moving and fluid document.
– Nay sayers can give you determination.
– Take the opportunity to connect with your customers in a unique way.
– Fill a void or need in the marketplace.