The original KISS principles

There are some really great small-business gems in this interview with Paul Stanley of KISS, from last week’s LA Times.

Work hard to look good:

“In the early days, KISS intentionally limited its New York appearances — even though it often had no gigs elsewhere — so fans would think the group was out on tour. The members saved money by setting up their stage equipment themselves, but did so hours early so no concert-goers would see them. For the same reason, they delivered fliers for upcoming engagements in the middle of the night. “There’s no substitute for hard work, for lonely hours and sleepless nights,” Stanley said.”

Go all-out for each and every customer – all the time:

“Success came partly from KISS’ reputation for raucous live shows — punctuated by Simmons’ infamous fire breathing and blood spitting. “From very early on, I don’t want to say we were a service-minded company, but we were about giving people bang for the buck,” Stanley said. “I wanted to be the coolest-looking band, the loudest band, the one with the most gear on stage, the one blowing stuff up.”

Stay focused on your mission – talk to people who believe in you:

“We did a bloated, self-important and completely ill-conceived concept album in the ‘80s called ‘The Elder,’ ” Stanley said. “That was a time we became more concerned with trying to impress our peers and get credibility from people who didn’t like us. Life’s too short to try to convert people who don’t like you.”