In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Ian Myers, founder of Oceans, shares his journey of scaling from 2 to 50+ team members in just three years. By leveraging Sri Lanka-based operational outsourcing and referral marketing, Ian achieved remarkable global growth. He reveals how Oceans thrived with minimal marketing spend of less than $100k. Ian also discusses overcoming challenges, maintaining team culture, and his unique approach to recruitment. Discover actionable insights on scaling effectively and sustainably. 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? Ian Myers believes the hardest thing in growing a small business is acquiring customers. He highlights the challenges of standing out in a crowded market, dealing with fragmented attention, and the rising costs of customer acquisition, such as skyrocketing ad expenses on platforms like Facebook.
What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most? Ian Myers does not read business books. As a literature major, he prefers reading fiction and historical biographies. However, he emphasizes learning from advisors, team members, and personal experiences rather than relying on traditional business literature.
Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Ian Myers recommends Morning Brew podcasts and newsletters as excellent resources for business insights and updates. He also mentioned Troy Trewin's podcast, Grow Small Business, as a valuable source for learning about business growth and overcoming challenges. Additionally, Ian values real-world experiences, networking, and seeking guidance from advisors and peers for tailored learning and support.
What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Ian Myers recommends using Google Workspace (G Suite) as a powerful and versatile tool for growing a small business. He highlights its simplicity and effectiveness, particularly Google Sheets, which he believes can handle most business needs during the early stages. He advises avoiding overly complex tools and focusing on practical, user-friendly solutions.
What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Ian Myers advises himself to avoid being too hard on himself or his team. He emphasizes the importance of not overthinking small mistakes, recognizing that they often don't matter in the long run. Ian highlights the value of patience, self-compassion, and focusing on building a resilient mindset for long-term success.

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:

Real businesses should be able to grow on the strength of referrals alone – Ian Myers Recruitment is where everything begins; it's the foundation of success – Ian Myers Growing quickly is as challenging as not growing at all—it comes with its own set of pains – Ian Myers

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