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.

Grant Sullivan

Scaling up for me has been a process of over 7 years now. With that I mean by scaling up is financially, with equipment, getting clients, and knowledge about screen printing and embroidery. When I started screen printing I found a home made printing press that a guy had for sale on craigslist. Read more>>

Katrina DeWit

The first few years as a Realtor were such a grind of long hours doing all the things it takes to get a new business off the ground. Client service and industry partner calls by day, marketing and administrative work by night. Everything was a blind panic and rush to the next appointment or task. Read more>>

Madin Lopez

When we first started ProjectQ, we had big dreams and a burning passion to empower LGBTQ+ youth. But let me tell you, it was far from an overnight success story. We poured years of blood, sweat, and tears into building the foundation for our organization’s triumph. The media loves to skip over this part, but we know the nitty-gritty details are where the real growth happens. Read more>>

Jacquelyn Tolksdorf

I didn’t start “smart”. I was so overworked as a Creative Director in the agency I worked for. The notorious salary professional. First one in. The last one out. 70 hours per week. No breaks. Burnt out! It sounds so stupid but during a final presentation to a client for the agency one of their execs just said casually, “Oh, wow – you do it all here except for the payroll! Read more>>

Sonnet Simmons & John Clinebell

How long have you got!? Haha. Seriously, it hasn’t been a formulaic story to our growth. We mostly listen a lot to what our community is saying. The challenges they are facing, connections they are making with each other and with the music industry. And of course what’s working for our students is so important to pay attention to. We constantly tweak our offerings to make them more effective based on all of this feedback we’re getting all of the time. Read more>>

Josette Theiss

I didn’t begin this business with the intention of growing a huge brand or making a big name for myself originally. I simply wanted to grow my passion, submerge myself in the atmosphere that makes me blossom, and share my wildlife and nature photography with the world around me. Photography has always been something I love and enjoy more than anything else, Read more>>

Betsy Dmitruk

When I first started Simply Done Organizing my goal was to help organize a few clients per year. I wanted to earn some extra income for our family as I had just resigned from my teaching position after ten years, but I had two young children at home at the time who needed me. My goal was to create a small organizing business to give me flexibility to stay at home most days with my kids while making a bit of extra money. Read more>>

Kalessia Bailey

Customer service, social media, and creating a great experience for my clients has grown my business tremendously. I record as must content as I can to post on instagram, Facebook and TikTok. I try to post weekly to stay relevant and keep up with the latest trends. Customer service is always my passion. I try to respond to all messages, email and voicemails. Read more>>

Katelyn Osborne

Scaling up has occurred progressively over these past three years. Definitely not overnight. My first year in business was about identifying businesses that had a need for marketing and seeing how relationships would form. There was some trial and error, some clients that would only sign on for ninety days or want to do services on a month-to-month basis. Read more>>

Caila Driscoll

Many people have asked me, “Caila, how did you get to where you are today?” Or, “You’re still in your twenties?! You got lucky! Look at your business now!” Read more>>

Brooke Margherone

This is an excellent question because business owners don’t get the opportunity to share the nitty gritty part of their story too often. The process of executing a business plan and then eventually scaling up, definitely cannot happen over night. Just as in my personal Yoga practice, my business efforts require the same ingredients in order to expand and grow. Consistency no matter what, faith in my own abilities and trust in what is unfolding, is key. Read more>>

Eugene Wilson V

First, starting a business in general is not hard. Starting a good business and consistently seeing your vision through is the hard part. There were many trials to get to where I am today and I still have a long way to go. When people ask for advice on finding success in the film industry or as an entrepreneur in general, the truth is that you either have the ‘it’ factor or you don’t. Read more>>

Candice Smith

At Tours Around Michigan, we have several strategies we use to grow our business at a safe rate, while also building our reputation as a high quality company. Read more>>

Allison Current

Let It Bee Crafts was born during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. Read more>>

Tiniya Bridgers

The biggest thing is staying the course , trusting God and being patient . Read more>>

Julio Diaz

I own a eFulfillment Center based in Miami FL handling over 250+ ecommerce brands, I went from 0 to 100 in 5 years and looking to keep growing. Read more>>