Do The Right Thing Smart entrepreneurs are doing well by doing good.

Because we believe the subject matter is so important,Entrepreneur Media is running the following article, examining thequestion of ethics for small business, in three of ourpublications: Entrepreneur, Business Start-Ups andEntrepreneur's HomeOffice.

Charlie Wilson is trying to run an ethical business. He'smade social responsibility part of the mission statement at his$1.6 million Houston-based salvage company, SeaRail InternationalInc. And he's made "self-actualization"--notwealth--his ultimate goal as an entrepreneur.

But don't mistake Wilson for some moralisticstick-in-the-mud. It's all about success. "Ethics iswhat's spearheading our growth," says Wilson. "Itcreates an element of trust, familiarity and predictability in thebusiness. We're in an industry where a lot of people cutcorners. I just don't think that's good for business. Youdon't get a good reputation doing things that way. Andeventually, customers don't want to do business withyou."