Confessions of a business book addict: how a female founder and sole parent scaled professional services firm Emerson Health! Learn from a seasoned entrepreneur on effective people management strategies, and rebuilding a business. (Alicia Cook)

In this episode, dive into the inspiring journey of small business growth with Alicia Cook, founder of Emerson Health. Discover actionable insights on team building, effective marketing strategies, and navigating challenges. Gain invaluable advice to accelerate your business success from Alicia's wealth of experience and expertise. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Alicia Cook believes that the toughest challenge in growing a small business is knowing what steps to take next and avoiding tasks that consume time without driving progress. This struggle highlights the importance of prioritizing actions that propel the business forward while sidestepping distractions. What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most? Alicia Cook's top business book recommendations are "Buy Back Your Time" by Dan Martell, "The One-Page Marketing Plan" by Allan Dib, "Scaling Up" by Verne Harnish and "Here be Dragons" by Richard Mulholland. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Alicia Cook recommends "Pro Serv Podcast" by Collective 54 for insights on sustainable boutique consulting businesses. She also suggests "Chill & Prosper" by Denise Duffield-Thomas for money mindset. She also listens to "Built to Sell Radio" by John Warrillow helpful, especially for the tiny tweaks that add value to a business as it grows. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Alicia Cook recommends getting a coach and considering joining an accelerator program as effective tools for launching a small business. She emphasizes the value of mentorship and structured programs in providing guidance and support tailored to business needs. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? On day one of starting out in business, Alicia Cook would advise herself to prioritize diligent hustling over excessive networking. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on activities that directly contribute to business growth, rather than getting caught up in socializing. This advice underscores the need for strategic action and perseverance in the early stages of entrepreneurship. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Success is achieved not just by milestones, but by the relentless pursuit of our mission – Alicia Cook In business, knowing what to do next is as crucial as avoiding what doesn't move us forward – Alicia Cook Delegation isn't just about freeing time; it's about investing in the growth of your team –Alicia Cook