We were lucky to catch up with Cheryl C Perez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Cheryl C, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.
A lot of people might think that Cheryl C. Perez Enterprises just woke up one day and found itself basking in the glow of success, but this journey? It’s been a rich tapestry woven with hard work, late nights, and a relentless pursuit of a dream that refused to be just a dream.
It all started with my losing my first business during the course of a devastating divorce. I thought I’d have to give up my dream, my vision, to empower the underdogs – the small businesses and nonprofits that were so full of potential yet so overlooked.
I was their Olivia Pope, ready to fix, uplift, and transform. But, the road from vision to victory was anything but a straight line.
In the beginning, it was just me, my laptop, and an unwavering belief in what I discovered and now call the 4S Freedom Framework™. This wasn’t about just patching up businesses; it was about revolutionizing them. But let me tell you, translating that vision into a scalable model that could touch lives beyond my immediate reach? That was the first mountain to climb, all while raising 6 children, balancing life and work.
Scaling up meant breaking down every part of the process, from who we served to how we served them. It meant setting up organizational structures, crafting actionable strategies, and, most importantly, building a team that shared the vision. The strategy was clear, but the implementation? That’s where the sweat came in.
We had to be nimble, ready to pivot, and oh, did we pivot. From refining our offerings based on real-world feedback to leveraging technology that could help us manage our growing clientele without losing that personal touch – every move was a calculated step fueled by trial and error and tons of learning lessons!
Not every step was graceful! Mistakes? Made them. Obstacles? Faced them head-on. There were moments of doubt, hires that didn’t quite fit the vision, and strategies that needed a rethink. But each misstep was a lesson, each failure a cornerstone for future success.
Perhaps one of the most poignant moments came from the realization that scaling up wasn’t just about expanding the business; it was about deepening our impact, making real connections, and staying true to our ‘why’. That realization reshaped our digital marketing & YouTube strategy that has propelled us even further, being able to reach a global audience.
Today, my company is a beacon for those it serves, a testament to the belief that with the right mix of strategy, heart, and hustle, any dream is achievable. Our growth is not just in numbers but in the lives we’ve touched, the entrepreneurs we’ve transformed, and the joy of watching our clients soar.
Looking forward, the vision is brighter than ever. We’re set on empowering even more businesses, refining our strategies, and ensuring that every entrepreneur and nonprofit leader we touch can live their dream on their own terms.
So, to anyone looking at us thinking it was an overnight success, know this: It was a journey of strategy, sweat, and sparkle. A journey of building not just a business, but a legacy.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Cheryl “CP” Perez, the heartbeat behind Cheryl C. Perez Enterprises, where we turn the ordinary into the extraordinary for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and small business owners. With over 25 years of diving deep into the business world’s ebbs and flows, I’ve crafted a sanctuary for dreamers and doers alike who yearn to elevate their missions with our 4S Freedom Framework—Strategies, Structures, Systems, & Squads.
My adventure isn’t just about the accolades or the milestones (though, with over 100 awards and features on NBC and FOX News, I’ve had my fair share of those). It’s about the journey, the hustle, and the magic of transforming visions into tangible triumphs. I’ve lived in the trenches of capacity building, both for other organizations and my own, granting me the wisdom and insight to guide others through the wilderness of entrepreneurship.
I’m about walking my tribe through every step of their journey to success. Whether it’s developing jaw-dropping strategies, erecting unshakable structures, orchestrating seamless systems, or assembling dream squads, I’ve got them covered. My mission? To hand them the keys to reclaim their time and unwrap the gift of living a life they will fall absolutely in love with, all while nurturing the business of their dreams.
And because I believe in spreading the love and wisdom far and wide, I host CPTV, a YouTube sanctuary with over 23,000 subscribers, where I dish out free, step-by-step process training. It’s all about systemizing their organizations to work smarter, not harder—because, who doesn’t dream of running their empire from the beach?
But when the cameras turn off, I’m just Cheryl—a football-loving, HGTV-binging, retail therapy-indulging woman blessed with a beautiful family, including my husband, six children, and two fur babies. Mandatory self-care isn’t just a phrase in my world; it’s a lifestyle, ensuring that I’m always at my best, for my family and for my audience.
I’m all about working smarter, not harder, because working from the beach is my idea of heaven!
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
My journey into the world of social media, particularly YouTube, began in a moment of introspection and ambition at my private CEO Retreat in late 2019 (I take them every year to create my annual strategic growth plans). Surrounded by the serenity, white boards and the empowering atmosphere of the retreat, I decided it was time to take my mission of empowering entrepreneurs, small business owners, and non-profits to the next level. The goal was clear: to extend my reach and impact through the power of video content. Thus, with a camera, a vision, and zero subscribers, I embarked on what would become one of the most rewarding adventures of my career.
Starting from scratch was both exhilarating and daunting. Those first uploads were met with crickets, but they were filled with hard work, passion, authenticity, and a genuine desire to provide value. I focused on sharing not just my expertise but my journey, the challenges I faced, and the lessons I learned along the way. This vulnerability, I believe, was key to connecting with my audience on a human level.
Persistence played a significant role during those early days. There were moments of doubt (so many moments), certainly, when the growth seemed slow, and the effort disproportionate to the engagement. Yet, I remained steadfast, committed to my why, and consistent in my content creation.
As the channel began to gain traction, I realized the importance of not just speaking but listening. Engaging with comments, asking for feedback, and tailoring content to meet the needs and interests of my growing audience helped foster a sense of community. It was no longer just about sharing knowledge; it was about building a tribe of like-minded individuals passionate about growth and empowerment.
To those just starting on their social media journey, here’s what I’ve learned:
1.) Start with Your Why: Your passion and mission are your most powerful tools. Let them shine through in every piece of content you create.
2.) Be Authentic and Vulnerable: People connect with people, not just ideas. Share your journey, the good and the bad, to create a genuine connection.
3.) Consistency is Key: Growth on social media is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay consistent in your content creation and engagement, even when growth seems slow- Don’t give up…things will start to come together!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
In 2016, my life and entrepreneurial journey encountered an unforeseen storm. A cancer diagnosis came out of the blue, threatening to derail not just the business I had poured my heart and soul into but my very existence. This was a moment that tested every fiber of my being, a moment that could have easily taken me out of the game. But it didn’t. Instead, it unveiled the strength, resilience, and tenacity woven into the fabric of my character and the foundations of my business.
The diagnosis was a shock, a jolt to my reality that forced me to confront my mortality head-on. But amidst the whirlwind of emotions, treatments, and uncertainty, a fierce determination took root. I had built something more significant than just a business; I had built a vehicle for change, a platform that empowered others, and a community that depended on me. Giving up was not an option.
What kept me anchored during this tumultuous time was the dual powerhouse of my hard work and the inspiration drawn from both my work and my personal family. My business wasn’t just a job; it was a testament to my passion for making a difference in the world. This purpose gave me something to fight for, a reason to push through the darkest days.
Equally crucial was the support from my family. Their unwavering love, encouragement, and belief in me fueled my resilience. They were my rock, reminding me of my strength even when I felt at my weakest. I had a legacy to leave and I had to set an example for my children and that’s what I set out to do!
The journey through cancer was hard, filled with challenges that tested me both physically and emotionally. However, it also brought invaluable lessons in gratitude, strength, and the power of the human spirit. My business, built on the principles of resilience, flexibility, and empowerment, not only survived but thrived, thanks to the systems, team, and community we had in place.
This period of my life underscored the importance of building a business that can withstand life’s unexpected storms.
To anyone facing their own battles, know this: resilience is not about never facing challenges; it’s about how you respond to them. It’s about finding strength in purpose, solace in what you have created, and the courage to keep moving forward, even when the path is obscured.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cherylcperez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylcperez/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCPImpact/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylcperez/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4TJiRWx4Z8ruy4TLKN0rIg/
- Other: TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@cherylcperez