Episode 175: S2 | From Side Hustle to Thriving Business: Strategies for Small Business Growth
Introduction
Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a thriving marketing business from scratch while balancing a busy family life? Kelly Rice, founder of Tree Frog Marketing, has spent over 25 years doing just that, helping small businesses grow sustainably. Her entrepreneurial journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and a passion for supporting small businesses.
Kelly’s Journey and Motivation
Kelly Rice’s path to entrepreneurship began unexpectedly. She never envisioned herself as a full-time business owner, but life had other plans. Initially pursuing a traditional career path after attending Ball State, Kelly’s interests in marketing and journalism sparked during high school. However, life called her home, leading her to enter the workforce earlier than planned. With little experience but a natural ability to bring clarity out of chaos, Kelly landed various marketing and design roles for small businesses.
Her passion for helping small business owners, many of whom were family and friends, grew as she witnessed them struggle to manage their marketing efforts effectively. Recognizing a gap, Kelly became a strategic voice for those businesses, offering affordable and meaningful marketing solutions. In 2000, Tree Frog Marketing was born as a side hustle while Kelly managed a full-time job and her young family. By 2008, the business grew through word of mouth, and Kelly made the leap to focus solely on Tree Frog, juggling her role as a mother of three and a business owner. Her journey is one of hard work, faith, and a strong desire to help others succeed.
Strategies and Tips for Entrepreneurs
1. Clarity Out of Chaos
Kelly emphasizes the importance of gaining experience early and taking opportunities that align with your skills. For young entrepreneurs, she advises seizing every chance to learn and bring clarity to complex situations—a skill that helped her land roles early in her career and eventually build her business.
2. Learning to Lead, Not Control
One of Kelly’s hard-earned lessons was learning to step back and let her team make decisions. She implemented a “one-three-one” rule, where team members bring one problem, offer three possible solutions, and discuss the best option. This approach empowered her team and allowed Kelly to focus on bigger strategic decisions.
3. The Dangers of a Smallness Mindset
For years, Kelly struggled with imposter syndrome and a scarcity mindset, fearing that taking risks could lead to failure. She overcame this by embracing faith in her abilities and those of her team. Her advice to entrepreneurs is to believe in your vision and take calculated risks based on growth rather than fear.
Current Challenges and Solutions
As Kelly faces a new phase in her business, she’s working on transitioning Tree Frog Marketing to a more team-led approach while she steps into a fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) role. Her challenge lies in empowering her team to lead while maintaining the business’s core values. By giving her team the freedom to make decisions, Kelly is preparing Tree Frog for long-term sustainability. During the podcast, we discussed strategies for a smooth leadership transition, emphasizing the importance of vision and team empowerment.
About Kelly Rice
Kelly Rice is the founder of Tree Frog Marketing, a marketing agency dedicated to helping small businesses grow through clear, actionable strategies. With over 25 years of experience, Kelly has become a trusted partner for countless business owners.
You can connect with Kelly on LinkedIn or visit her website at treefrogmarketing.com.
Conclusion
Kelly’s journey offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs at any stage. From learning to trust her team to overcoming a scarcity mindset, her story demonstrates the power of resilience and strategic leadership. Want to learn more? Connect with Kelly Rice or subscribe to the podcast for more inspiring entrepreneurial stories!
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