We were lucky to catch up with Joshua Aguirre recently and have shared our conversation below.
Joshua, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.
In the heart of North Carolina and now Colorado’s bustling entrepreneurial scene, Cressio stands as a beacon of hope for those often overlooked by the traditional business consultancy landscape. Our mission is rooted in serving underserved communities, particularly self-identifying underprivileged entrepreneurs who are brimming with potential but lack the necessary resources and guidance.
When we met Willie, he was deeply committed to satisfying his clients but struggled to scale his marketing agency. His dedication was palpable, yet the knowledge and resources to expand were out of reach. Simplicity Agency, then a small team of five, was on the brink of closure.
Cressio’s intervention marked the beginning of a remarkable transformation. Through our comprehensive support and strategic guidance, we helped Willie scale his company significantly during the challenging times of COVID-19. Our efforts increased his team size from 5 to 20 without raising overhead costs, boosting monthly cash flow by 200%, and increasing equity by 40% in just over a year and a half.
But it wasn’t just about numbers. We instilled in Willie a strong sense of leadership, investing in the company’s culture, and pivoting the business to leverage its strengths in serving the community. Willie learned the importance of social impact, stating, “Before we met, I was ready to close down my company. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for you. You have helped me to learn the power of culture. This is just as much your company as it is mine.”
Why It Matters
Willie’s story is a testament to Cressio’s mission. We don’t just provide business consultancy; we empower leaders and transform businesses. Our work with Simplicity Agency underscores our commitment to uplifting underserved entrepreneurs, fostering a culture of resilience, and driving significant business growth.
Our Ongoing Commitment
At Cressio, we continue to champion the cause of underprivileged entrepreneurs. Our story with Simplicity Agency is one of the many where we have made a substantial impact. We remain dedicated to bridging the gap, ensuring that every entrepreneur, regardless of their background, has access to the resources and guidance needed to thrive.
Looking Ahead
Cressio is more than a business consultancy; we are a community catalyst. By empowering underserved entrepreneurs, we are not just aiding individual businesses; we are fostering a more inclusive, diverse, and vibrant entrepreneurial landscape. Our commitment remains steadfast: to uplift, guide, and transform the dreams of underprivileged entrepreneurs into tangible successes.
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 Joshua Aguirre from Colorado, and I spearhead three organizations, each distinct yet interconnected in their mission to foster innovation and social impact. My journey into this realm was driven by a passion for enabling growth and transformation, both in businesses and communities.
At Cressio, we specialize in business consulting, offering unique services like Business Model Innovation, Staffing and Retention Strategies, Website Design, Marketing, Sales Process Design, AI Implementation, and Agile Remote Project Management. Our standout feature is the Pay-What-You-Can (PWYC) model for underprivileged entrepreneurs, ensuring inclusivity in business growth.
Scaling Side Hustles, our podcast, assists individuals transitioning from regular employment to entrepreneurship, providing insights and strategies for successful business ventures.
The Joshua Wave, our 501c3, creates innovative business models for our Neighbors experiencing homelessness, demonstrating our commitment to social impact.
Additionally, I am now instructing at Thrive Network (https://www.thethrivenetworks.org/) which empowers the socially disadvantaged in Southeast Colorado Springs through entrepreneurship.
What sets us apart is our comprehensive approach to business consultancy, blending innovation with a deep sense of social responsibility. I’m most proud of our ability to turn visionary ideas into actionable strategies, impacting not just businesses but entire communities. I want potential clients and followers to see us as a catalyst for positive change, where business growth and social impact go hand in hand.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
As a child, I admired my mother’s boundless love, often taking in those in need. But at 21, my world shifted dramatically.
Racing to the hospital, I was fueled by fury and determination. There, I found my mother, convulsing, a tragic consequence of her loneliness driving her to overdose. This wasn’t her only struggle; her life oscillated between caring for others and neglecting herself. Her loving but tumultuous journey deeply affected me, stirring a mix of confusion, anger, and sorrow. Yet, these experiences also forged my resilience. They taught me the power of self-care, the necessity of addressing mental health, and the importance of social impact within entrepreneurship, helping to shape our approach with our nonprofit, The Joshua Wave, and helping to guide my business decisions in Cressio.
This journey, fraught with pain and introspection, fortified my resilience. It taught me that true strength lies in understanding and overcoming life’s adversities, a lesson I carry into every facet of my life and work.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My pivot began in 2016 after selling my first dropshipping business. This success led me to develop the AAM roadmap in 2017, a guide for sustainable business practices. However, the real shift occurred in 2019. Noticing the impact of the AAM roadmap, I transformed my marketing agency into a business consulting firm. This change rekindled my connection to my Argentinean heritage and a deep desire to support underprivileged entrepreneurs in the U.S. We adopted a Pay-What-You-Can model and sliding scale rates, ensuring our consulting services were accessible to all, regardless of their financial situation. This approach allows us to meet clients where they are, exchanging value without financial barriers, and fostering a more level playing field for all entrepreneurs.
Contact Info:
- Website: joshaguirre.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/trustybusinessman
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/josh.aguirre
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshaguirre/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/joshuaguirre
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@invenstlabs/videos
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessmanjoshua https://cressio.com https://joshuawave.org The most important one: Sign up for a Pay-What-You-Can initial consultation by filling out this form: https://www.jotform.com/build/91222974155155