3 Steps To Scaling Your Small Business Safely

What this episode covers

Scaling your business is a nice problem to have, yet it is still a problem. Entrepreneurs get so focused on delivering one thing that they can’t see other options. They need to learn how to pivot their businesses. How can they grow into something more? When scaling a business, entrepreneurs need to measure results and focus on what’s working and what’s not working. Listen to what the market is telling you. Continually review your systems and strategies. Also, practice smaller and slower progression in your business to make it sustainable. Ultimately, this is the right move to make. When scaling your business, make sure to maintain excellent customer service. Customers are aware when a business shifts direction. You want to consistently create a special experience and sense of place for your customers. About Katie: Katie started a bricks-and-mortar business specializing in sandwiches and craft beer. She took that business and scaled it up successfully using tried-and-tested methods. George Bowers Grocery is a walkable neighbourhood destination that serves food and other retail specialties. Katie wrote a book that focuses on various business pieces, including scale, systems, and strategies. It is titled, “Per-Money: Permaculture Thinking for Indie Biz Growth.” Challenged Issue: In this podcast, we challenge the issue of scaling your business safely. Katie’s Actionable Tips: * Look at your market, and pivot to fit your market. Focus on best sellers and listen to feedback! * Bigger is not always better! Instead, grow from within at a slow and steady pace. That protects your cash flow, and your sanity. * Systems and strategies should be interconnected. Build them so they support each other. How are your tactics interlocking?  Top Quotes: * “What we started with vs. what we’ve become is a lot different. And it required that attention to scale.” * “Every piece of the puzzle needs to fit together and work for the other pieces of the puzzle.” * “Naturally, we’re a bit stubborn. We all have egos involved.” * “Rapid feedback is king.” * “Move into a direction that works.” * “When our customers come in the door, they know what to expect.” * “I’m pretty gung ho on Main Street businesses.” * “Indie businesses have such an awesome role to play as far as really creating ‘place’.” * “It’s true that you can buy almost anything online. But you can’t buy a sense of ‘place’.” Guest Links: * Katie McCaskey (http://katiemccaskey.com/) * George Bowers Grocery (http://www.georgebowersgrocery.com/) * Twitter (twitter.com/katiemccaskey) * Per-Money: Permaculture Thinking for Indie Biz Growth (http://katiemccaskey.com/permie/) Resources: * Amazon (amazon.com) * The Essential 14–Day Guide to Cutting Your Working Hours and Increasing Your Impact (https://www.excellence-expected.com/cwh/) Key Timestamps: * 00:36 Introduction of guest * 01:41 Guest’s background * 02:48 Bricks-and-mortar businesses * 03:15 George Bowers side projects * 03:41 Permaculture * 05:02 Actionable tip #1 * 05:31 Pivot your business * 07:25 Challenging of pivoting * 08:46 Actionable tip #2 * 11:33 Systems and strategies * 12:45 Experience * 14:35 George Bowers personality * 16:50 Actionable tip #3 * 20:18 Learning curves