How did you fund the next stage of your business?
Good morning, everyone! As I’m planning for the future, I’ve been thinking about the best way to invest in growth—whether that’s equipment, trailers, additional employees, marketing, or expanding services. I’d love to hear how other business owners approached funding their next stage of growth. Did you: Save and reinvest profits? Use financing for equipment? Apply for grants? Use business credit? Take another approach? Looking back, what decision had the biggest positive impact on your business, and what would you do differently? I appreciate any insight you’re willing to share. Hopefully this discussion can help other small business owners who are working toward the same goals.Solved50Views3likes9CommentsPhase 3 Preparation Tips for Jobber Grant Applicants
To everyone who may be advancing to Phase 3 of the Jobber Grants competition, congratulations on making it this far. The work you put in now can help your business long after this competition. Here are a few things I’d recommend focusing on: Review your full application and be ready to speak confidently about everything you submitted. Practice explaining your business in 30–60 seconds. Keep it simple, clear, and memorable. Know exactly how you would use the grant and the impact it would have on your business. Update your website, LinkedIn, and social media so your online presence reflects your business professionally. Refresh your business plan and make sure it reflects your latest progress and goals. Know your numbers—customers, revenue (if applicable), milestones, growth, and future goals. Practice answering questions out loud. Confidence comes from preparation and repetition. Be ready to explain what makes your business unique and why now is the right time for it. Organize your financial information and important business documents in case they’re needed. Create a simple one-page overview of your business that clearly explains your mission and vision. Gather testimonials, reviews, or customer feedback if you have them. Social proof adds credibility. Stay informed about your industry so you can confidently discuss current trends and opportunities. Build relationships with other founders. Networking often creates opportunities beyond this competition. Don’t memorize answers. Know your story well enough that your passion comes through naturally. Take care of yourself. Get enough rest, stay focused, and walk into every opportunity with confidence. Most importantly, act like you’ve already made it to Phase 3. Use this time to strengthen your business, improve your brand, and prepare for every opportunity ahead. Wishing everyone the best of luck. No matter who moves forward, keep building, keep learning, and keep believing in what you’re creating. Your next breakthrough could be closer than you think.121Views5likes8CommentsDoes anyone have or recommend a solid process for vetting new hires?
I've used background checks, eVerify, and employment verification but I still struggle to hire dedicated individuals. I send them to jobs and they no call - no show and then drop off the map. I know the cleaning industry has high turnover, but this really negatively impacts my reputation!!Solved42Views2likes3CommentsLet’s Support Each Other - Introduce Yourself Below!
We’re all working hard to grow our businesses, and one of the greatest strengths of this community is the opportunity to support one another. If you see a member who could benefit from a referral, make the connection. If someone asks a question and you have experience, share what you’ve learned. Celebrate each other’s wins, encourage one another through challenges, and help create opportunities whenever you can. A single referral, recommendation, or connection could make a real difference for someone’s business. Let’s build a community where we don’t just grow our own businesses—we help each other grow too. 👇 Introduce yourself below: Business name Service(s) you offer City & State (or Country) One way the community can support your businessPartnership with a salon suite
Excited to share a new partnership opportunity for Spotless Care Cleaning Service! We’re proud to partner with a local salon suite community located in Chicago, Illinois to help beauty professionals maintain clean, welcoming, and professional spaces for themselves and their clients at 3 locations. As a service business owner, I believe strong partnerships create stronger businesses. Our goal is to help suite owners spend more time focusing on their clients while we handle the details that keep their workspace looking its best. Grateful for the opportunity to grow, connect, and provide value through reliable cleaning solutions. Looking forward to continuing to build relationships with other service-based businesses!👏 Congrats to everyone who finished Phase 2!
🎉 Phase 2 is officially complete! Congrats to everyone who made it this far. Looking back, what was the biggest challenge you faced—and what part of your application are you most proud of? Wishing everyone the very best as we wait for the next step! 🚀Solved167Views3likes16CommentsBefore You Give Up on Your Dream, Read This.
There was a moment in my life when I was physically run over by a garbage truck. Most people would assume that was the hardest part of my story. It wasn’t. The hardest part was choosing not to let that moment define the rest of my life. Instead of giving up, I got back up. I went back to school—twice. I invested in myself when it would have been easier to make excuses. I kept learning, kept growing, and kept chasing a vision that only I could see. Every setback became another reason to work harder, not quit. If you’re an entrepreneur reading this, I want you to know something: The journey will test you. There will be days when the money isn’t there. Days when nobody believes in your vision. Days when you question yourself. Days when you wonder if you’re falling behind. But don’t confuse a delay with defeat. Some of the greatest victories are being built in seasons where no one is clapping for you. I like to think of life as a rose. Before anyone admires its beauty, it must first push through the darkness beneath the soil. It endures storms, strong winds, and little insects trying to destroy its roots before it ever blooms. Entrepreneurship is no different. Critics will come. Failures will come. Rejections will come. Doubt will come. But if your roots are grounded in faith, purpose, and perseverance, nothing can stop what God has planted within you. So if you’re feeling discouraged today… Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep sharpening your craft. Keep believing in the dream that was placed on your heart. One day, people will see the flower. They’ll celebrate the success. But only you—and God—will know everything it took to bloom. To every entrepreneur in this community: don’t give up on yourself. Your story isn’t over. Your purpose still matters. And what you’re building today may become the blessing someone else needs tomorrow. 🌹💙17Views2likes0Comments✨ To Every Entrepreneur Who Feels Like Giving Up… Please Read This. ✨
If you’re feeling discouraged today, this is for you. There was a time when I was physically run over by a garbage truck. It could have become the chapter that defined my life, but I made the decision that it wouldn’t define my future. Instead, I kept fighting. I went back to school twice. I continued learning. I worked on myself, my skills, and my dreams—even on the days when progress felt invisible. Here’s something I’ve learned: Just because it feels like you’re falling behind doesn’t mean you’re losing. Sometimes you’re actually farther ahead than you realize because you’re building a foundation that no one else can see. Life is a lot like a rose. Before anyone admires its beauty, it must first grow through darkness, survive storms, and push past everything trying to destroy its roots. Along the way there will be doubt, criticism, setbacks, and people who tell you what you can’t do. Don’t let them decide your future. Keep working on your craft. Keep learning. Keep believing. Stay rooted in your purpose, and when the time is right, you’ll bloom into something beautiful. Never give up on yourself. You are stronger than your setbacks, greater than your failures, and your story isn’t over yet. Keep going. 🌹