Grow A Small Business Podcast Felicity Zadro on Growing Zadro Agency to $2M Revenue With 10 Staff: From $5K and Laptop nicknamed Bruce to Leading With Purpose, Navigating Crises, Building Retainers, and 18 Years of Strategic Communications Success. (Episode 666 - Felicity Zadro)
In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Felicity Zadro, founder of Zadro Agency, a strategic communications firm in Sydney. Felicity shares how she built her business from just $5K and a heavy laptop named "Bruce" into a $2M agency with 10 team members. She discusses overcoming major challenges, including the GFC and losing 85% of revenue during COVID, and how she rebuilt with a strong retainer model. We dive into her focus on team culture, the shift from founder to CEO mindset, and balancing leadership with motherhood. It's a powerful story of resilience, clarity of purpose, and long-term growth. 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:
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What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Felicity Zadro, the hardest thing in growing a small business is juggling priorities and deciding where to focus your time. She emphasised that time is finite, so making the right decisions, learning how to delegate effectively, and focusing only on what the business owner can uniquely do—especially the tasks they might not always want to—are essential and challenging parts of growth.
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What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Felicity Zadro's favorite business book that has helped her the most is Start With Why by Simon Sinek. She shared that it's been critical for Zadro Agency, particularly in shaping their brand and strategic planning process. It resonated deeply with her approach to purpose-driven business.
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Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Felicity Zadro emphasises her involvement in a CEO group, noting that while it requires a substantial commitment, she finds it incredibly valuable for gaining insights and building connections with key people and suppliers. She describes the group as a continuous, structured learning environment that has profoundly influenced her and reshaped how she manages her business.
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What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Felicity Zadro recommends developing a robust business plan as a critical tool for growing a small business. A clear plan focuses efforts, sets achievable goals, and ensures team alignment, creating momentum and long-term direction for success.
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What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Felicity Zadro's advice to her day-oneself is to trust her instincts and embrace the journey, knowing it will challenge and transform her into a better leader. She highlights the importance of listening to your inner voice as it reflects accumulated experience.
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Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:
Culture isn't created overnight; it's a daily commitment to values and people – Felicity Zadro
Success is a balance of ambition, focus, and adaptability – Felicity Zadro Resilience is the key to thriving through challenges and change – Felicity Zadro