We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leah Scott. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leah below.

Alright, Leah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry?

In recent years we are seeing Corporate commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion due to the disparities and challenges that disadvantaged businesses face. These efforts are greatly appreciated; however, Corporations must really dig deeper as to why there isn’t much minority participation, and it is not by choice. We are not seeking a hand out, we are simply seeking an opportunity!

How can we bid on contracts when we are redlined and denied access to capital?

How can we compete when we are new to a system where generational relationships run deep? We have been in situations where our bid came in lowest, and the corporation still decided to award the ‘favorite’.

What funds do we have to start and maintain a business when our ancestors were denied the right to business ownership, eliminating generational wealth?

Can you please be more flexible with payment terms? A net 30 is paid 30 days after the work is completed which could mean weeks, months, years. Small, disadvantaged businesses cannot survive and thrive this way.

Corporations: please be intentional about doing business with diverse suppliers at a disadvantage. Provide your contact information, answer your phone, reply to our emails, connect us to your networks, provide opportunities. We are much stronger when we all work together!

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

Hello! My name is Leah Scott, CEO of The Logo Warehouse. We provide PPE, Promotional Products, Apparel, Safetywear, Signage, and Graphic Design services.

I decided to start this company in 2008 after being laid off multiple times during the recession. I graduated college in 2006 and with no connections or much work experience in the field, it was a difficult time to find and maintain a career. During the recession many businesses down-sized, outsourced, closed, or relocated, and I was always one of the first to be laid off. No one knew my true worth at that time but me, so I decided to be my biggest advocate and work for myself. Best decision ever!

The mission of The Logo Warehouse is to provide the ultimate customer experience with high-quality, innovative and affordable advertising specialties that promote brand recognition and revenue generation for individuals, businesses, and organizations.

In short, we take your already amazing brand to the next level in terms of advertising and visibility. We also offer services to create a brand package for start ups. We are different in that we meet the customer where they are; we are not a one size fits all company. We offer fast turnaround, global supplier diversity, local investment, free inbound freight from top suppliers, low minimums, competitive pricing, and discounts.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

NETWORKING! I put that in capital letters because I am here to tell you it is not about the money, it’s about building the relationship. If it’s only about the money, you will not have a long-term career as an Entrepreneur. The connections you make are invaluable and they will help you grow your business in ways that you may not be aware of. Network, join boards, travel to events/conferences, attend virtual webinars/trainings, connect on LinkedIn, take on a mentor, volunteer, be kind to people, and do not gossip.

You have to get up from the computer and get out of the office so you can interact with a diverse group of people, even in industries that are different from yours. Majority of our business relationships are from referrals. Market yourself and your business, and always conduct your business in good faith.

Word of advice: A ‘no’ doesn’t mean it’s forever; it just means ‘not right now’. I had to learn and accept that because many of those that said ‘no’ at the time are now my customers! I just had to build the relationship first.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have had to pivot my whole life, both personally and professionally in order to grow. There are many times I wanted to throw in the towel, but I am thankful to have a good support system that picks me up and walks in my mess with me. Setbacks are temporary and failure is when you don’t try. It is important to recognize that home life can affect business and business can affect home life, but it is more important to remove yourself from those disruptions so you can be your best self.

In 2019, my business was starting to take off in the right direction. We were building our customer base and partnerships, exceeding our sales goals, and I finally had the perfect work-life balance. That was short lived when the Covid-19 pandemic shook the world in 2020. We went into lockdown, businesses closed their doors, and interaction with the outside world stopped. Like many others, I had no plan as to how I would be able to stay in business. At this point it wasn’t about hitting sales goals, it was about having the income just to meet basic needs.

Months went by and not a single email, text, phone call, or website inquiry until a customer called me to ask if we had 3,000 thermometers…….and we did. Another called for 10,000 masks, 500 hand sanitizers, and all the nitrile gloves we had in stock. It took me a while to realize we needed to pivot our business to offer PPE, something that never crossed my mind before. I did not want to profit off of people’s misfortune; but I knew we had what people needed to be safe and healthy, and for businesses to stay open, including my own.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thelogowarehouse.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-scott-0272428
• Other: Email: [email protected]