Starting a business is hard because it’s a fight with yourself, an internal battle – gaining the courage to get started, etc. Scaling a business is different – the challenges you face are mostly external to yourself. Each challenge has a million mini-challenges. We wanted to create a space for conversations and stories around growth and scaling. Below, you’ll find stories and insights from successful entrepreneurs across a variety of industries and markets.

Nyall James

It’s been a long journey to scale up our efforts as a promotion company and artist collective. We started working with only one venue, and then two, until eventually we formed partnerships with almost every major nightclub and venue in the city. In order to do that, we had to come to the negotiating table with the decision makers at each venue with a value proposition: why should they work with Dirty Not Sorry? Read more>>

Anna Crowe

Growing a business from a concept and vision is no easy feat, regardless of how large you scale it. For me, it was integral to surround myself with likeminded people from the very start. While I’ve had other ventures and many years of experience in PR, marketing, sales and finance, Crowe was my first PR agency, so the learning curves were high. Read more>>

Christin Baker

I have had the opportunity to be with my company for 16 years. I was there in the beginning when we launched and had 10 subscribers to our brand new tiny streaming platform and was there to celebrate when we hit 5,000 active subscribers. After all these years we have had over 17,000 people subscribe to TelloFilms.com and it’s been quite the journey for the largest Lesbian/Queer platform and longest-running LGBTQ+ streaming platform. Read more>>

Jasmine Salgado

First foremost, we would not be where we are without God and our supportive family & friends. Every prayer, every recommendation, and every lesson has put us in the position that we are in today. We scaled our business by implementing our previous work experience/ethic and education into our business. Read more>>

Elizabeth Seligman

When I started Island Life Events 10 years ago, I looked at as an opportunity to do something I love. I had always done weddings as a banquet captain but not as a wedding planner. For years I observed planners and as I got older (49) I thought I need to do this, so I did and it was terrifying! Read more>>

James Hunt

Sacrificing and always thinking about the big picture; that is how I scaled up. It took me three years to scale up in real estate, I had to move back home to start my journey – going from living alone to having a roommate. There were times when I felt like I would never scale up, but eventually it happened because I remained consistent and committed to the process. Read more>>

Katrina Smith

We started with yardsales, facebook marketplace and flea market. Remodeling, refurbishing, and reupholstering used furniture was the perfect niche and quickly caught on and got us popular, as the demand increased and the inventory began to burst at the seams of our garages, storage units and flea market booths we quickly went on the hunt to find the perfect startup home to nest our growing business. Read more>>

Javon Talley

Hard work and dedication are the two words that define me scaling up. The Royal Falcon Brand started off as a small business that served as an incubator to help start other business. In 2018, we rented out small colleges to give local artists a place to perform their music and poetry. With each event we hosted the whole year, we raised over $5,000 dollars. With that money we funded scholarships, created grants and helped the less fortune. Read more>>

Katrina Kelley

Scaling up a business takes more than overnight success. It’s the result of years of hard work and overcoming obstacles, often overlooked by the media. At Cigar Bella, we know the real story behind our success and are excited to share it with you. It all began in Las Vegas, where I, Katrina, started Cigar Bella with a team of master cigar rollers. We wanted to bring the art of hand-rolled cigars to enthusiasts everywhere. As we gained recognition in Vegas, we set our sights on expansion. Read more>>

Kelsey Vendetti

Scaling up an e-commerce business requires planning, strategic decision-making, and effective execution. Here are some critical steps to consider when scaling up your e-commerce business: Evaluate and optimize your current operations: Before scaling, ensure your existing e-commerce operations run smoothly. Evaluate your website’s user experience, optimize your conversion rate, streamline your order fulfillment process, and assess your customer service capabilities. Read more>>

Patty Najar

When I first began my nail tech journey, I started working from my garage at home. This would set both my client on myself and an uncomfortable situation sometimes because it would be ridiculously hot here in Houston for a while, or sometimes even ridiculously cold. I luckily now have a nail studio that is a lot more comfortable and a lot more personalized. I feel like giving your clients a comfortable space really does take you to the next level. Read more>>

Jordan Passman

As a solo founder, I would travel to New York in the summer, for example, sweating profusely as I dashed from meeting to meeting. After a pitch, I would frantically find the nearest Starbucks for free Wi-Fi and a phone charge, run the business for a few minutes, and then rush to the next potential client. I couldn’t keep up. Read more>>

Zoleka Sparks

I have always been a leader. In middle and high school I was always holding offices in clubs like FBLA and the SCA. It was in my 20’s, when I realized I could combine my leadership with helping small businesses succeed. Shadowing my father, a community leader, fueled my passion for community and taught me how to integrate the two. Read more>>

Ariana Perez

If someone told me 5 years ago I’d be where I am today with my photography work, I would absolutely not have believed them. After I moved back to the United States from living abroad for several years, I grabbed my camera as a hobby. My first ‘real’ project was a wedding. I look back now and think of the many different ways I could have done that project better because I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my work. Read more>>

Makayla Clanton

Eclective Boutique, a unique Women’s Clothing Store located in Lake Worth Beach, FL was closing. Jennifer Mooney-Thompson and I, having zero retail experience, didn’t want the store to close – so we purchased it! At the time of our purchase, the store was open 3 to 4 days per week for just a few hours per day. Sales were dismal and the inventory minimal. Read more>>

Kacie Obradovich

In 2013 I purchased an existing baby furniture store, Sugarfoo’ts Baby Boutique, along with a partner. I had worked for the original owner of the business years before. I had loved it and it never felt like work. My husband and I discussed purchasing the business off and on for several years but the timing was never right. A year after purchasing the business we decided to relocate just a couple miles down the road in a downtown location. Read more>>

Carys Mullins

When I started The Advocates for LGBTQ Equality, that was not even the name it went by. The mission was meaningful but not far-reaching. I operated as a sole proprietor rather than an LLC, as I am now. That was not because I didn’t want to dream big. I just knew that, realistically, I lacked the resources, money, or time to aim higher. However, I never gave up on finding the means necessary to take that next step on the ladder. Read more>>

Kim Kennedy

When my husband and I bought Sissy from the previous owner in 2022. We fell in love with the idea of going to weddings all the time. We loved our wedding so much that we decided Sissy was just what we needed. So we set goals for our solid year of having her. Yes I talk about Sissy like she is a person. Our goal is 50 bookings in our first year. We are almost there! We are currently at 32 bookings this year. Read more>>