In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Brad Riley, the founder of Infostatus, shares his incredible journey from starting with just one team member to now leading a thriving team of 15. He discusses the importance of perseverance through challenges and the invaluable lessons learned along the way. Brad emphasizes leveraging online resources and learning from the experiences of others in the industry. Tune in to discover how Infostatus achieved remarkable growth and generated $3 million in revenue over the past 11 years. Other Resources: NPS – An easy way to measure if your customers love you in 21 minutes – use the Net Promoter Score (NPS). And it’s FREE. Productivity increases 7%-23%, team engagement up threefold and retention from 5.4 to 9.4 years – why wouldn’t you consider an ESOP, Employee Share Ownership Plan. ESOP Subject Matter Expert talks other benefits, costs and time (Craig West) 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? Brad Riley identifies that the hardest thing in growing a small business is navigating through tough times and maintaining perseverance. He emphasizes that challenges can take many forms, and what seems tough today may look different in the future. He believes that understanding and learning from both successes and failures, as well as leveraging resources and insights from others, is crucial to overcoming these hurdles and achieving sustainable growth. What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most? Brad Riley mentioned Annie Duke as a significant influence. Known for her work on decision-making under uncertainty, her insights have likely impacted Brad’s approach to managing challenges and strategizing in his business. Annie Duke’s books, such as Thinking in Bets, emphasize critical thinking and probabilistic decision-making, which are highly relevant for navigating complex business environments. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Brad Riley emphasized leveraging the internet to learn from others' journeys. While he didn't recommend specific resources, general suggestions include the podcasts "How I Built This," "The Tim Ferriss Show," and "Smart Passive Income," along with online courses from platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Udemy. You can also explore YouTube channels such as Gary Vaynerchuk and Stanford Graduate School of Business for valuable insights. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Brad Riley recommends using online learning platforms to build skills, leveraging social media for networking and marketing, and utilizing project management tools like Trello or Asana to streamline team collaboration. Additionally, analytics tools such as Google Analytics can drive data-informed decisions. These resources collectively support efficient growth and operational scaling for small businesses. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Brad Riley advises his day-one self to stay resilient, reassuring that "it's okay, you'll be okay." He emphasizes the importance of perseverance, noting that tough times are part of the journey and that the challenges faced today will look different down the road. His key message: hang in there and trust that things will work out. 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: Perseverance is the secret ingredient that transforms tough times into success — Brad Riley Learning from others' experiences can fast-track your own growth — Brad Riley Hang in there; today's challenges are shaping tomorrow's victories — Brad Riley