It sounds like you have all the right concepts for keeping and developing a productive, satisfied staff, Pete. If you are lucky enough to get good, well-intentioned employees who want to grow from their own work, your chances of success seem pretty high.

I worked for a large firm once, and opened a new branch outlet in Florida. In the first six months, I had a 120% turnover in a staff of 23 because the work required them to pay attention to details and that was too much work for them. All turned out well but it convinced me that the main cause of success is having good people who to make success happen.