I can’t recall the offense, but I remember the punishment. It was harsh. It was brutal. That’s what my 10-year-old brain told me.

I thought I would receive a lashing with Dad’s leather belt, or a battering with the wooden spoon, the yardstick, or the spatula from Mom. Had it been one of those options, it would have been done and over with.

But it was worse than I thought.

I was forbidden to watch The Wizard of Oz.

L. Frank Baum’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was published in 1900. MGM released the original movie in 1939, and it was nominated for six Academy Awards. Unfortunately, there was this other movie, something about Gone With the Wind, that also was out that year.

It wasn’t until 1956 that CBS presented the movie on broadcast television. The network played the movie ONCE a year. There were no VHS or DVD or streaming services. If you missed the one night of the year it was on television, you were S.O.L. until the next year.

It’s still my favorite movie of all time, and for some reason, reruns were out of control this December leading up to Christmas. Examining why I still love the Tin Man’s dance routine or why I still get a lump in my throat when Judy Garland sings “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” could take a trip to the psychologist. We won’t go there.

There are some critical lessons for small business owners in this Technicolor masterpiece.

Let’s remember what each main character wanted, but didn’t have. Dorothy wanted to return to her Home. The Scarecrow wished for a Brain. The Tin Man longed for a Heart, and the Cowardly Lion was in desperate need of Courage.

The four were convinced that the Wizard of Oz could provide the things they thought they were missing. So, the four new friends embark on a journey down the Yellow Brick Road. Their adventure is fraught with lions and tigers and bears, oh my. The Wicked Witch of the West ensures a challenging skip down the lane.

Finally, the Wizard bestows upon the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion those gifts they were searching for. Dorothy is rescued by Glinda the Good Witch who reinforces to her that there’s no place like home.

Let’s start with the end. The Wizard was a phony. He had no power. He was all gizmos and gadgets and technology that no one had yet seen. But when Toto reveals the man behind the curtain, we see that he is not what the munchkins thought.

So, lesson number one is to Be Authentic.

Make certain that when customers experience your business for the first time or the tenth time, they have the quality experience that you’ve been bragging about. Whether it’s a conversation with a CSR or a technician visiting the home, make certain that the customer experience is always above and beyond what they imagined it would be. Once you’ve lost your authenticity, you’re done!

Lesson number two is Be Persistent.

Judy Garland was 16 years old when she played Dorothy, and her resilience and determination to overcome all obstacles to get back to Aunty Em and the farm in Kansas was inspiring. Your business is going to experience obstacles and setbacks. It’s never smooth and easy. Those who win are the ones who get up and answer the alarm clock every day and keep pursuing their dream.

Lesson number three is Always Be Learning.

The Scarecrow was searching for knowledge, and you should too. Make sure that you incorporate research and strategic planning into the big decisions that you make for your business.

Lesson number four is Be a Hugger.

Okay, maybe you can’t hug everyone, but you must have the heart to build strong relationships both with your team and with your customers. If you’re not a ‘people person,’ then hire someone who is, and put that person in charge of human relations.

Lesson number five is Be Fearless.

If you’ve started your own business, I know you already have some courage. But what does that mean going forward? You might need to take some risks, and you might need to make some bold decisions. And you certainly can’t fear the competition.

My last important takeaway for you is this.

I coached young people for 28 years, and I only had three team rules. The second was to Play Like a Team. Build a rockstar team and then recognize each member’s strengths and put each player in a position to be successful. Your business will boom.

Finally, you should always have a trusted friend by your side who will fly around in a cyclone with you, nip at the mean lady riding the bicycle, or just sit quietly in your lap.

When you’re ready to journey down your Yellow Brick Road, give me a shout. I’ll make sure that you overcome any wicked witches or flying monkeys.

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