Summary: Scaling your business is a nice problem to have, yet it is still a problem.<br> 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?<br> 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.<br> Also, practice smaller and slower progression in your business to make it sustainable. Ultimately, this is the right move to make.<br> 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.<br> About Katie:<br> 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.<br> George Bowers Grocery is a walkable neighbourhood destination that serves food and other retail specialties.<br> 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.”<br> Challenged Issue:<br> In this podcast, we challenge the issue of scaling your business safely.<br> Katie’s Actionable Tips:<br> <br> * Look at your market, and pivot to fit your market. Focus on best sellers and listen to feedback!<br> * Bigger is not always better! Instead, grow from within at a slow and steady pace. That protects your cash flow, and your sanity.<br> * Systems and strategies should be interconnected. Build them so they support each other. How are your tactics interlocking? <br> <br> Top Quotes:<br> <br> * “What we started with vs. what we’ve become is a lot different. And it required that attention to scale.”<br> * “Every piece of the puzzle needs to fit together and work for the other pieces of the puzzle.”<br> * “Naturally, we’re a bit stubborn. We all have egos involved.”<br> * “Rapid feedback is king.”<br> * “Move into a direction that works.”<br> * “When our customers come in the door, they know what to expect.”<br> * “I’m pretty gung ho on Main Street businesses.”<br> * “Indie businesses have such an awesome role to play as far as really creating ‘place’.”<br> * “It’s true that you can buy almost anything online. But you can’t buy a sense of ‘place’.”<br> <br> Guest Links:<br> <br> * Katie McCaskey (<a href="http://katiemccaskey.com/">http://katiemccaskey.com/</a>)<br> * George Bowers Grocery (<a href="http://www.georgebowersgrocery.com/">http://www.georgebowersgrocery.com/</a>)<br> * Twitter (twitter.com/katiemccaskey)<br> * Per-Money: Permaculture Thinking for Indie Biz Growth (<a href="http://katiemccaskey.com/permie/">http://katiemccaskey.com/permie/</a>)<br> <br> Resources:<br> <br> * Amazon (<a href="http://www.amazon.com">amazon.com</a>)<br> * The Essential 14–Day Guide to Cutting Your Working Hours and Increasing Your Impact (<a href="http://www.excellence-expected.com/cwh/">http://www.excellence-expected.com/cwh/</a>)<br> <br> Key Timestamps:<br> <br> * 00:36 Introduction of guest<br> * 01:41 Guest’s background<br> * 02:48 Bricks-and-mortar businesses<br> * 03:15 George Bowers side projects<br> * 03:41 Permaculture<br> * 05:02 Actionable tip #1<br> * 05:31 Pivot your business<br> * 07:25 Challenging of pivoting<br> * 08:46 Actionable tip #2<br> * 11:33 Systems and strategies<br> * 12:45 Experience<br> * 14:35 George Bowers personality<br> * 16:50 Actionable tip #3<br> * 20:18 Learning curves<br> * 22:18 Bricks-and-mortar side of business<br> * 26:40 Guest’s links<br> <br> Don’t forget, the more you expect from yourself the more you WILL excel!<br>
