We were lucky to catch up with Carlos Hernandez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Carlos thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
Having originally started as solely a social media agency and then re-branding and expanding into a full-service small business solutions agency, there’s definitely a few things I’ve learned over the years since starting my business. The biggest thing I would do differently is to ensure all processes were standardized and optimized from the very beginning. As a new business owner, it’s easy to focus solely on growing the business, gaining clients and earning money. However, as the business grows, it becomes harder to circle back to put process and systems in place that are necessary. The other two lessons I’ve learned that I would do differently had I known better as a new business owner just starting out is the need to think big and at the same time, outsource things that are not the best leverage of your time and energy. Many business owners get caught up in needing to be good at everything in their business, when really they could move faster by doubling down on what they’re good out and outsourcing things they are not.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My background was originally in sales management and as social media grew in popularity, I began using it to bring business into the corporate gyms I managed. Having grown up with my dad owning a small business, I soon realized the impact social media could have for all businesses, but particularly small businesses who have small marketing budgets. I started my social media agency part-time, initially offering my services for free to a couple businesses to practice and build my portfolio. Within a few months, disillusioned with corporate culture and having seen the results I earned for my initial clients, I decided to leave my job and dive full-time into my business. Since then my business has grown tremendously, I re-branded and expanded, and now own Lone Star Small Business Solutions that partners with small businesses to help them thrive. We now offer business consulting, sales campaigns, websites, branding, and of course social media content.Our clients are not just clients, but partners in the growth of their businesses. I’m most proud of the value I’m able to provide to my clients and the growth my clients experience by working with us. Most agencies won’t work with small businesses (under 1 million gross revenue) due to limited budgets. We fill a unique niche by offering full-service consulting and working with clients on services that will make the most impact while fitting their budgets. Our team is small but mighty and I am thankful to wake up every day one step closer to my vision of building a machine that helps countless small businesses all over the United States.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think one of the biggest things that has helped me build by reputation and business is the fact that I GIVE so much before asking for anything. I’ve done countless contents shoots, spotlights, posts, shoutouts, and have given support to many local businesses before ever pitching my services or asking for anything in return. This has helped me build the reputation that while yes, I am a business myself and need compensation for my staff and I to sustain our lives, I am genuinely passionate about the small business community and helping it grow. I hope that every single business I have the opportunity to work with grows into a multi-million dollar legacy for their families, if that’s what they want for themselves as well.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Having managed teams for 10+ years in Corporate America and now my own at Lone Star Small Business Solutions, the best advice I have for any business owner is that they themselves must embody the employee they would love to have. Owners can’t expect to just hire great staff, they create them. We must first be a leader that is worth being followed, not just in business but all aspects of life. That means constant self-development, staying active, fueling your body like the athlete (entrepeneauer) that you are, and truly practicing what you preach. Culture is vitally important within the business, and often a reason why people choose to work at a small business vs. large business, but so is employee compensation and the ability to grow financially within the company. I enjoy showing my appreciation to my employees in various ways, including bonuses for hitting milestones, businesses lunches, and random acts of thanks so my employees know they are valued.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lonestarsmallbusiness.com
- Instagram: lonestarsmallbusiness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lonestarsmallbusiness
Image Credits
Lone Star Small Business Solutions