We recently connected with Pepper Bethel and have shared our conversation below.

Pepper, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

When I decided to scale my business, the shift came when I stopped trying to be everything to everyone. I realized that by honing in on one key area—business development—I could truly excel and bring more value to my clients. It wasn’t just about offering a range of services anymore; it was about mastering the art of building relationships and fostering growth.

Through self-promotion, relationship-building, and word-of-mouth, my business took off. I focused on creating genuine connections with people, not just pitching to them. By consistently sharing my expertise and building trust, my network grew, and so did my opportunities. It wasn’t a quick or easy process, but once I focused on the core of what I do best, everything aligned, and the business started expanding faster than I could have imagined.

That singular focus allowed me to scale without burning out, and ultimately, it reinforced the power of specializing, building strong relationships, and letting your reputation precede you.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got my start in the U.S. Navy, where I served for eight years. The Navy taught me discipline, resilience, and the ability to operate under pressure—skills that have been critical throughout my career. After my time in the military, I transitioned into financial management, where I gained valuable insight into the intricacies of managing assets and planning for the future. From there, I moved into sales, learning how to build strong relationships and truly understand the needs of the people I served. These experiences were the foundation that prepared me to step into the role of a business owner.

When I started my own business, I knew that the key to success was focusing on what I did best—business operations, management and development. Over the years, I honed my skills in building relationships through self-promotion and leveraging word-of-mouth to grow my brand. The services I provide are centered around helping businesses and individuals develop a process and strategies that set them up for long-term success, whether it’s through business consulting or financial planning.

What sets me apart is my ability to draw from a wide range of experiences—from the military to financial management and sales—and use that knowledge to solve real problems for my clients. I don’t just offer cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, I focus on tailored strategies that help my clients achieve sustainable growth and build lasting legacies. I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built over the years and the trust that my clients place in me to guide them through some of their most important decisions.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my brand, it’s that we are committed to helping individuals and businesses not only grow but thrive. Whether I’m helping families create generational wealth or working with business owners to scale their operations, my mission is always to provide value and help people reach their fullest potential.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

In my business journey, one of the most significant lessons I had to unlearn was tied to traditional sales techniques. Being in sales means being part of a long tradition of methods that have been handed down from one generation to the next. While some of these techniques were highly effective in the past, they don’t always work with today’s more informed and discerning clientele.

Early in my sales career, I was taught the importance of persuasive tactics, pushing hard on urgency, and overcoming objections aggressively—approaches that were once the backbone of sales strategy. However, as I encountered more educated and savvy clients, it became clear that these methods no longer held the same power. Customers today have access to more information than ever before, and they value transparency, trust, and genuine relationships over high-pressure sales tactics.

What I had to unlearn was the mindset that closing a sale was the ultimate goal. Instead, I realized that the real focus should be on building long-term relationships and providing value. I moved away from the idea of simply “selling” to someone and embraced the concept of guiding them toward the best decision for their unique situation—even if that meant not making the sale right away. It was about listening deeply to my clients’ needs, understanding their pain points, and positioning myself as a trusted advisor rather than just a salesperson.

This shift in approach transformed how I conducted business. Rather than relying on outdated techniques designed to push for an immediate close, I began to prioritize building trust and rapport. In the long run, this approach not only led to more successful outcomes but also created lasting client relationships that resulted in repeat business and referrals.

Unlearning those antiquated sales techniques was crucial for me to thrive in a modern marketplace where clients value authenticity, trust, and personalized solutions. It’s no longer about selling; it’s about serving, and that’s where true success lies in today’s business landscape.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What helped me build my reputation in the market was a combination of authenticity, consistency, and a commitment to delivering real value to my clients. Early on, I recognized that clients today are more knowledgeable and selective. They aren’t just looking for a sales pitch; they’re looking for someone who understands their unique challenges and can offer tailored solutions. By focusing on building genuine relationships instead of pushing for quick wins, I positioned myself as someone who could be trusted not just for a single transaction, but for ongoing support and long-term planning.

Word-of-mouth referrals became a powerful driver for my reputation, fueled by the relationships I built and the results I delivered. Clients appreciated that I wasn’t just selling them a product or service; I was investing in their success, whether it was helping them achieve financial goals, scale their business, or develop sustainable strategies for wealth preservation. This client-first approach resonated deeply in the market and helped me stand out from competitors who were still relying on outdated, high-pressure sales techniques.

In addition to this, I consistently leveraged networking, public speaking, and sharing valuable insights with my audience. Whether it was in one-on-one meetings or at industry events, I ensured that I was always providing actionable advice that my clients could immediately apply to improve their situation. Over time, this helped me cultivate a reputation as someone who could be relied on for expertise and guidance, which in turn led to more opportunities and business growth.

Ultimately, my reputation was built on the foundation of trust, reliability, and a genuine desire to help people succeed. That authenticity and commitment to delivering results are what continue to set me apart in the market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tpigroupinc.com
• Instagram: None
• Facebook: None
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pepper-bethel-67616993
• Twitter: None
• Youtube: @business_edge
• Yelp: None
• Soundcloud: None