Growing and scaling a business is hard and we wanted to hear from business owners who have successfully scaled a business. Below, you’ll find our conversations on scaling with some very talented and insightful folks.

Julia Bocchese

When I was first freelancing, I took on any project I could find, no matter how small. I also worked a few clients who whittled down the original proposal I sent to just one or two tasks I had listed. My business wasn’t really growing, and it wasn’t until a potential client said they would pay me under $100 just to improve their site speed instead of optimizing their whole site that I realized that these tiny projects were why my business wasn’t growing. I was spending more time talking to these clients instead of actually getting the work done. So once the realization hit me, Read more>>

Katrina Madden

Do not despise these small beginnings- Zechariah 4:10 Last year I was at a local pop-up shop and I saw a young lady doing her first vendor event. She was nervous, and a little intimidated, by a small display of her offerings. I immediately thought, “She’s me when I first started!” I immediately went to encourage her! Read more>>

Arica Damaya

When I started my first business, I was a highschool sophomore and micro influencer promoting my cosmetic company through Instagram and the hallways of my school. Now at 20 years old and a full time college student, I have a selfie museum, You Love Selfies, located in Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, NC. Five years later since the start of my entrepreneuurship journey, I have now been able to merge all my businesses into one, cultivating a large following for them all. Read more>>

Patrick Letts

We started in 2012 with one group of 5 kids and will now have 18 locations in 2023. In 2012 we started Crab Kickers as a part-time thing to see if it was something that could grow. The first time we put out a session to see if we could get interest and we only had 5 kids it was a little tough as we were hoping for multiple groups and lots of kids. From there we slowly grew. We tried several different marketing/promoting ideas/strategies. We spent hours putting flyers in door handles, did mailers, set-up at various events. Read more>>

Crystal Lee

I have a natural curiosity for learning what separates the good from the great. So I feel like I’m always a student in the footwear industry and always pursing business developments opportunities like attending seminars, motivational conferences, and listening to business podcasts, etc. In 2014 I launched my e-commerce site: www.munroeshoetique.com to be the top online shoe retail site for women shoes, where they can shop good quality high heels at affordable prices. Read more>>

Casjmir Briggs

I can’t stress it enough how important networking is. Networking will change your life. Having the right people pouring into you will change your language & perception of business. For example when I first started my business I didn’t have a team it was just God & I, but he shifted my atmosphere & started connecting me with business owners & influencers that had more than me. I mean divine connections started forming at vendor events I was attending to get my business established. Read more>>

Sara Quiroz

Finding what works for you… Finding your work flow and what works best for your business is an ongoing journey and one that, like you, will change through the years. In the beginning of my career as a silversmith, I was learning and growing by practicing, as any professional does. Your brain and body help guide you away from repeating past mistakes, and toward past successes and new ideas to explore. Seeking out new designs and techniques keeps that creative spark alive and drives creativity. Read more>>

Eduardo Chavez Jr.

It’s funny you mention this, I was just having this conversation a few days ago. How most people, want the title or the final destination, a huge thriving business. But fail to look at the in between. People see a successful business or a successful entrepreneur and want that. They want the successful business, or be a success themselves. They are attached to the end goal. Until it’s time to get to work. Once they find out how much work it actually is, quitting or switching endeavors is the easiest thing to do for them. Read more>>

Athena Hawkins Wilson

Getting to where I am today was nothing short of grinding everyday. Owning your own business is not a normal job. There are no 9-5 hours, you keep working until everything is done. If you do not get it done, there is not another co-worker that comes in after you to finish it or a boss to pick up the slack. You are the boss. When I first started out, my family and friends bought things but once that stopped, I had the decision to keep going or just get a couple bucks here and there from them when they wanted something. One major thing that has helped me are festivals. Read more>>

Rihanna R

From the beginning, I had the dream of establishing a one-stop shop Beauty Lounge that would cater to all people and all needs. Of course, this type of dream requires hard work, dedication, and persistence in work ethic. That goes to say that the process has not been easy but I can confidently say it has been worth it. The level-up required much of me, my love to cater to my customers, and my knack for being successful. If I had to go into the obstacles of it all, it would be lengthy. What I do want my customers to know is that every obstacle, every lesson learned, and every overcoming moment has been to substantiate the best experience possible. Read more>>