While earning my bachelor’s degree in finance, I was searching for a flexible job and landed an interview that sounded promising. You can imagine my surprise when I pulled up to a residential address. Today, that would surely be a Red Flag. But I was in a respected area of Silicon Valley, so I cautiously decided that I would knock on the door.

I met an incredible salesperson who was brokering circuit boards and needed a bookkeeper. I was immediately all in, and this became my first step in learning how to build from the ground up.

We opened a circuit board shop within the first year, and I handled the office management and accounting functions. I learned about the entrepreneurial spirit and building relationships. My self-confidence also grew as I had to figure things out myself; we were too darn busy to micromanage. This gig was the perfect fit for me at that time in my life.

While there are certainly pros and cons to both small and large companies—I want to emphasize this: Small companies provide opportunities to build both soft and technical skills for those who want to learn. My first job at that Silicon Valley “startup” ignited my passion for scaling small organizations. I came to love the process and grew a deep appreciation for the incredible opportunities that small businesses offer employees to learn, develop skills, and grow as leaders.

Here are the key advantages of working in smaller companies:

1. Close Relationships: Foster closer, more supportive relationships.

2. Greater Visibility: Gain higher visibility of your work, potentially leading to greater recognition and faster career growth.

3. Diverse Experience: Embrace opportunities to take on diverse roles and expand your skill set.

4. Leadership Exposure: Interact directly with top management, gaining mentorship and influencing company direction.

5. Workplace Flexibility: Benefit from adaptable work arrangements, including remote options and flexible hours.

6. Tangible Impact: See the direct results of your efforts on the company’s success.

7. Agile Operations: Experience a more dynamic, responsive workplace with quicker decision-making processes.

8. Innovation Culture: Thrive in an entrepreneurial atmosphere that encourages fresh ideas and creative problem-solving.

Coaching Can Help Grow Small-Team Success

My passion lies in helping growing companies build strong cultures and develop their people. I thrive on empowering individuals to showcase their talents and supporting their growth. This work has fueled my lifelong love of learning and self-improvement. Small companies often struggle to manage everything, so my goal is to help you focus on often overlooked challenges, enabling faster growth and better employee retention through small business coaching.

Smaller firms, especially in the early stages, often lack resources for talent development and organizational structuring, yet these are crucial for growth. They need flexible partners who understand their budgets and can provide cost-effective solutions to scale quickly. Ideal coaches fill gaps and offer tailored approaches, avoiding the high costs typically associated with consulting services.

Here are seven benefits of small business coaching:

• Targeted Upskilling: Provide personalized training to fill the gap left by limited in-house development resources.

• Leadership Development: Cultivate strong leaders who can effectively inspire and guide small teams to peak performance

• Employee Engagement and Retention:

Boost job satisfaction and create a positive work culture to reduce turnover and increase productivity.

• Strategic Growth: Offer expert insights and tailored strategies to navigate challenges and capitalize on growth opportunities.

•  Performance Accountability: Implement systems to ensure task completion and goal achievement, keeping teams focused and on track.

• Customized Support: Deliver individualized guidance to address specific challenges and nurture employee potential.

• Optimized Collaboration: Enhance communication and collaboration, fostering a more cohesive and efficient work environment.

Schedule a 30-minute call with me and learn how customized small business coaching can improve your business.