Aug 27, 2024
In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy
Trewin interviews Cath
McDowell, the driving force behind Howrah Plumbing. Cath reveals
her journey from managing a small business to scaling it to $12M in
revenue with a team of 47 over 29 years. She shares insights on
building a strong company culture and the challenges of growth.
Tune in to learn how dedication and strategic leadership
transformed her enterprise into a thriving success.
Other Resources:
Marketing Funding Flywheel Ebook
Mark Ritson, ex-Business School Professor, now heads the
CPD-accredited Mini MBA in Marketing with 20,000 alumni in 60
countries and a team of 8 FTEs.
Craig West on how ESOPs can boost productivity by 7%-23%, triple
team engagement, and double retention, plus insights on benefits,
costs, and timelines.
Tom Lewin on Employee Share Plans: boost staff retention,
transparency.
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, being a learner again when moving into a new
industry, 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?
Cath McDowell believes the hardest part of growing a small business
is maintaining a strong company culture while scaling. Balancing
growth with the personal touch that built the business initially
can be a significant challenge.
What's your favourite
business book that has helped you the most?
Cath McDowell mentions that she doesn't have a favorite business
book, as she primarily focused on training courses and practical
skills for her professional development.
Are there any great
podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow
a small business?
Cath McDowell doesn't have specific recommendations for podcasts or
online learning resources for growing a small business. She prefers
practical training and hands-on learning over online resources.
What tool or resource
would you recommend to grow a small business?
Cath McDowell recommends having strong support around you as a key
tool for growing a small business. She emphasizes the importance of
a good team and supportive people who can help with daily tasks,
job reviews, and equipment decisions.
What advice would you give
yourself on day one of starting out in business?
Cath McDowell would advise herself to take holidays whenever
possible and enjoy time off. She reflects that she never expected
to stay at the same company for her entire career, and encourages
balancing work with personal time.
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!
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Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small
Business podcast guest:
Being committed to your business is a long-term dedication;
it’s not a short-term project — Cath McDowell
Feedback from employees who’ve worked elsewhere can be
incredibly valuable and reaffirming — Cath McDowell
Creating a strong company culture means valuing what happens
outside of work and rewarding your team — Cath McDowell