What does it take to grow your business into a million-dollar company--and
beyond? We spoke with three women at different stages of business growth to find
out their secrets.
"This company is my passion. I love what I do, and I love my boss," says
Sandy Corso, 42, the founder and CEO of
Peaceful
Co. in Madison, Connecticut.
The online retailer of eco-friendly and holistic products hit the $1 million
mark last October and was one of the first to be awarded in OPEN from American
Express and Count Me In's Make Mine a Million $ Business program.
Corso describes herself as "a dream-follower, relentless, a risk-taker and
stubborn"--qualities that have contributed to her company's success. She also
attributes her growth to changing consumer attitudes.
"We're a socially responsible company, and consumers want to spend with
companies that give back," she explains.
Running a million-dollar business has changed Corso in positive ways, too. "I
used to pack boxes in the warehouse if we were short-staffed," she says. "I know
now my skills are best used on the front lines."
As her New York City-based eco-luxury fragrance and spa product company
approaches $10 million in revenue this year, Yael Nina Alkalay, 39, says
Red Flower is
better-managed and better-structured.
"We adhere to more long-term planning, take better advantage of technology
and control more aspects of key operating systems, such as warehousing," she
says. "I've become a better executer and more open to appropriate risk. I've
never let go of my vision, intentions or perspective."
Patty Brisben, 53, is expecting her company, Loveland, Ohio-based
Pure Romance, to top
$100 million this year. Just eight years ago, when the direct-sales company hit
$1 million, Brisben brought her eldest son, Chris Cicchinelli--now the
33-year-old president--into the business. Together, they developed a five-year
plan for the company to expand into Midwest markets.
In 2006, Pure Romance exceeded $60 million in sales. "We began expanding and
growing, not just in terms of revenue, but in terms of the company as a whole,"
Brisben recalls. She says some defining moments were developing her own
proprietary line of products, launching a Health Education Department and
starting a nonprofit, The Patty Brisben Foundation.
Says Brisben, "I've let go of the things I thought were important and focused
on the things that make us money--namely, the things I love and that I'm the
best at."
Originally published in the August 2008 issue of Entrepreneur magazine