448: Scaling an Ecom Brand From Scratch to $700K in Year One: The Sales Engine Playbook with Catherine Smith Licari of The Small Business Planner

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Jan 30, 2025

Catherine Smith Licari, creator of the Small Business Planner, shares her entrepreneurial journey, highlighting her tactical strategies for building a predictable sales engine. She discusses sourcing high-quality products, the impact of intentional planning, and leveraging social media for brand growth. Catherine opens up about the challenges of her IVF journey, demonstrating how real-life struggles can coexist with business success. Her insights on navigating personal challenges while scaling towards nearly 7-figures make this conversation truly inspiring.

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ANECDOTE

Early Fashion Venture

Catherine Smith Licari's entrepreneurial journey began in the fashion industry, noticing a gap between emerging designers and online shoppers.
This led her to create a website for emerging luxury fashion designers in 2014.

INSIGHT

Shift to Advising

Catherine realized that many small fashion businesses struggled with operational and financial challenges.
This insight led her to shift her focus from product sales to business advising.

ANECDOTE

Magazine and Media Background

Catherine's background in magazines stemmed from a photoshoot for Marie Claire, leading to on-camera work.
A teen talk show co-hosting role taught her responsibility and sparked her interest in media.

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Welcome to a masterclass in building a thriving business even while managing real-life challenges. Catherine Smith Licari, the creator of the Small Business Planner, joins Natalie to break down the tactical strategies behind creating a predictable sales engine and why intentional business planning is essential for long-term success.

From sourcing and developing high-quality products to leveraging paid traffic and building customer trust, Catherine shares a wealth of actionable insights that any entrepreneur can apply. She also opens up about her IVF journey, revealing how she managed to grow her business during one of the most challenging years of her life. This interview covers how years of stagnant revenue finally led to a breakthrough of reaching almost 7-figures. If you’re ready to refine your operations, create consistent revenue, and scale your businesses with purpose – this episode is for you.

TIMESTAMPS

00:13 How Catherine identified gaps in the fashion industry and launched her first business.

02:08 Leveraging Instagram and early online trends to build brand awareness.

03:34 Pivoting from product sales to brand advising based on client demand.

16:23 The creation of the Small Business Planner: Combining luxury and function for entrepreneurs.

23:04 Sourcing and developing a high-quality product: Catherine’s step-by-step approach.

27:27 Why intentional packaging and customer experience drive repeat customers.

35:03 Features of the Small Business Planner designed to solve critical business challenges.

37:26 Balancing personal challenges, including IVF, while scaling a business.

46:04 Building a predictable sales engine with paid ads and intentional traffic strategies.

50:48 Insights from Freedom Fast Track that shaped Catherine’s business growth framework.

53:36 Addressing financial and operational blind spots for small business owners.

59:21 How to fully utilize the Small Business Planner and its digital companion course.

01:09:26 Exclusive Bossbabe Sales Engine Bonus Pack for Small Business Planner customers.

RESOURCES + LINKS

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FOLLOW

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Natalie Ellis: @iamnatalie
Catherine + The Small Business Planner: @cashflow.for.creatives