Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Aaron Montgomery, CEO, and Co-Founder of Our Success Group, located in St. Peters, MO, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I provide ACTIONABLE resources to new small business owners who have been at it long enough to recognize their need for guidance. They are tired of wasting money on shiny objects and are committed to finding a path to their idea of success. My passion is encouraging a counterintuitive foundation-building, strategic planning, and mindset alignment approach.

Tell us about yourself

Being in the garment decorating industry (t-shirt and personalized gift printers) for nearly 23 years has made me fall in love with the small businesses that see this industry as a path to success and freedom from the 9 to 5. But I spent the first 20 years marketing and selling equipment, supplies, and wholesale services. There was always a sea of new customers, but not nearly enough customers went out and found success as I thought there should have been. The attrition rate for product and garment decorators is horrible because it doesn't cost much to get started and attracts creative and crafty people. They can make beautiful and creative items but don't know how to run a business. I know that through the resources I have built since starting OSG, we can help those businesses actually find success. Each day getting to help our members solve problems, find the motivation to overcome challenges, and celebrate their success, keep me passionate about our mission.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The testimonials from our members. I have them printed out and nearby, and when days are not going well, I look at them and know what we are doing is helping. Testimonials like "I have been in such a spot not knowing where to go with my business. You have given such great info to help get my drive back," "You have made a significant difference in my business and with me personally," and "The training is excellent. You made it super simple with the spreadsheets and other resources. For the first time in 13 years, I'm paying myself."

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Mindset - Everyone thinks the challenges they have to overcome are external, like how to run Facebook Ads, what equipment or services they should use, or even how to find more customers. But the truth is each of us knows those things or quickly has access to the answers, and we choose to look for a magic pill instead and chase those shiny objects around. Once you have clarity of the reasons you are in business, have reignited self-trust, and then learned to become a goal-getter, you have what you need. Layer on a solid business plan, and start taking action. Business is simple BUT not easy.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Work from a foundation. It all starts with receiving 100% responsibility for your success. Then you have the power to clarify your reasons (some call it a "why"), reignite self-trust, and become a goal-getter. The foundation continues with your strategic plan that includes the people involved, the marketing groundwork, an understanding of your numbers (finances), and a workflow and process to track and manage your business.
  2. Let the business pay for its own needs. I see people put themselves into a deep hole, wanting to buy all the equipment, services, websites, etc., because they think they need it. You can bootstrap a business, use lower-cost tools and services, and outsource what you need until you build a market for that product or service. Then if you have your foundation right from #1, you are pricing your products and services so that the company will pay for the investments you need in equipment, websites, and more.
  3. Raise your prices. 99% of the people I have been fortunate enough to work with all needed to raise their prices. Many of them were so busy that the business they started to have more family time and live on their own terms turned into a 24/7 job that paid no bonuses or overtime. 80% of your business will come from the top 20% of your customers, so focus on their needs and keep the price from the lowest common denominator. If you raised your prices by 5% and lost 5% of your customers, you are now doing 95% of the work you did for the same money.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://oursuccessgroup.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OurSuccessGroupPro
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oursuccessgroup/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oursuccessgroup/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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