Sometime last November, we shipped our millionth dollar worth of product. That's the good news. The bad news is it took a million and one to do it! Well, something like that. It still is (to me) an amazing milestone. The time to our next million needs to be much, much shorter. Another product will help. And that is finally getting close. I hope to be reporting on the product launch and results within the next 6 months.

As I have said before, dealing with the IRS can be an interesting experience. I had called and discussed a levy notice with a pleasant gentleman from the IRS -- who assured me I still had time to make a payment -- and that a levy was unlikely due to the small amount owed.

Soon thereafter, my bank called and told me the IRS took the money from my account. The notice saying they were going to do that -- and what to do to avoid it -- came after the fact. I still can't believe it. On top of that, my bank charged me another $50 for the processing!

In case you're wondering, I have no problem with paying my fair share of taxes. The taxes in question were FUTA (Federal unemployment) taxes from 1994 that the IRS determined I owed several years later. Satisfying that debt was not in the plan -- but we were slowly doing it.

Not fast enough for them. I guess the federal government needs the money more than my micro company -- even though in 7 years only two of my employees have ever collected unemployment. The moral is -- you will stay current with the IRS.

Lastly, the common wisdom is that most small businesses will fail within 3 years. What is implied here is that, if you survive the first 3 years, you have it made. No way!

I read an interesting observation from an entrepreneur in one of the many small business magazines I get. His message was that it takes a minimum of 7 years for a business to really get going. I believe it. All situations are different but, if you take the plunge, plan on treading water for much longer than you thought.