In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews James Ashford, founder of Go Proposal. James discusses his journey to building a successful business, leading a dedicated team, and achieving impressive revenue growth. With insights on maintaining high standards, strategic planning, and exit readiness, James offers valuable advice for small business owners. Tune in to discover how his leadership and vision have driven Go Proposal's success. Other Resources: NPS Score: An easy way to measure if your customers love you in 21 minutes – use the Net Promoter Score (NPS). And it’s FREE. How James Ashford Sold his 12 Employee company for 8-figures 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? James Ashford believes the hardest thing in growing a small business is maintaining balance. He emphasizes the challenges of juggling various roles and responsibilities, especially when managing both personal and professional demands. He highlights the importance of being kind to oneself, recognizing the inherent difficulties, and staying resilient amidst the pressures of entrepreneurship. What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most? James Ashford's favorite business book that has helped him the most is "E-Myth Revisited" by Michael E. Gerber. He also highly recommends "Built to Sell" by John Warrillow, which he considers a distilled and improved version of "E-Myth Revisited." Additionally, he finds "Key Person of Influence" by Daniel Priestley and "They Ask, You Answer" by Marcus Sheridan to be particularly impactful for his business thinking and marketing strategies. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? James Ashford recommends Joe Rogan's podcast for its insightful discussions and the High Performance podcast in the UK for valuable insights. He also highlights the effectiveness of email marketing and suggests platforms like Infusionsoft and Go High Level for comprehensive marketing capabilities in small business growth. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? James Ashford recommends email marketing as the most effective tool for growing a small business. He highlights the ability to nurture and engage a captive audience through regular communication, leveraging platforms like Infusionsoft or Go High Level for comprehensive marketing automation and online course creation. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? James Ashford advises himself on day one of starting out in business to remember that "it's going to be alright." He emphasizes the importance of staying calm and being kind to oneself amidst the challenges and uncertainties of entrepreneurship. This mindset helps navigate the inevitable ups and downs with resilience and perspective. 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: As you grow, your standards