3 Game-Changing Insights from Scale Strategist Celi Arias

I recently had the opportunity to interview Celi Arias on the Life After Corporate podcast . Celi is the founder of Get Ahead in Business (GAB) and a scale strategist with a talent for breaking down complex business concepts into actionable steps.

Our conversation yielded three key takeaways that can be immediately implemented in your business. Here they are:

1. Focus on Your Foundation Instead of Chasing Trends

Many entrepreneurs are tempted by the latest marketing trends or courses promising quick success. However, Celi emphasizes the importance of building a solid foundation first.

Here's what Celi said that really resonated:

"I see people really concerned with funnels and automations and automated email sequences and nurture sequences for everything and ads and the thing that's gonna get me to go viral. I see them focused on things that are several steps ahead, that are not wrong or things of no value, but the truth is when you amplify shit, you just get more shit."

Celi suggests focusing on the five key growth systems in your business:

1. Finance
2. Marketing
3. Sales
4. Operations
5. Product/Service Delivery

These are the fundamental departments that would exist in a larger company. As a solopreneur or small business owner, you need to understand the basics of each of these areas to make strategic decisions.

While becoming an expert in all these areas isn't necessary, having a basic understanding of each will help you see the bigger picture and make more informed decisions.

Action Step: Assess your business. Which of these five areas needs the most attention right now? Focus on strengthening that foundation before pursuing new trends or strategies.

2. Product-Market Fit is Non-Negotiable

Most entrepreneurs are hesitant to really dig into product-market fit. It can be uncomfortable and vulnerable, but Celi insists that this step is crucial for success.

Here's what Celi shared:

"I don't let you make a marketing plan or a content plan or even choose which marketing strategy is right for you if you've skipped over product market fit. And most entrepreneurs, I would say 99% of entrepreneurs skip that stage, in my experience. And the reason is because we have to actually speak to our audience and get their feedback."

It's tempting to jump straight into marketing and content creation because it feels productive. But if you're not offering something people actually want or need, all that effort is wasted.

Celi shared an example of a client who had a breakthrough after doing voice-of-consumer interviews:

"She said one of her biggest aha moments was she realized she was making generic content and generic thought leadership until she did the voice of consumer interviews. Then I helped my clients really break apart those interviews and really hear your audience and hear what they're really saying to you. And so she was able to nail her audience's, her ideal customer's voice and understand what really scares them."

This client discovered that her ideal customers – marketing execs in SMBs – were afraid of losing their jobs because they couldn't prove the ROI on marketing. That insight completely transformed her messaging and content strategy.

Action Step: Set up 5-10 interviews with your ideal clients or customers. Ask them about their biggest challenges, fears, and desires related to your area of expertise. Listen carefully to their words and use them to refine your offering and messaging.

3. Know Your Numbers, Especially Your Profitability

Celi shared an insight that might be surprising to many entrepreneurs:

"Most people have slapped prices onto something that feels good but they're not walking around confidently knowing that's my price because it's right for my value, my years in business, and it covers my costs and it pays me and it's profitable."

This lack of clarity on our numbers can have significant consequences. As Celi pointed out:

"When you sell those offers that are not profitable, you're basically working for free. And then you're asking yourself, why am I so exhausted? I'm selling, I'm closing deals, but I'm so exhausted and I feel like I'm still spinning because you're not, some of those offers that you're selling, if they're not profitable individually, the other offers that you're selling are hopefully making up for what some of the offers on your plate are not profitable."

This is why many entrepreneurs feel burnt out despite working hard and closing deals.

Action Step: Review each of your offers. Calculate the true cost (including your time) and ensure you're pricing for profit. If an offer isn't profitable, either adjust the price or consider retiring it.

What I love about Celi is her focus on practical, actionable steps that can transform your business.

What steps have you skipped?

• Is your business stable in each of the key foundations? Do you have operating procedures to support your goals?
• Do you know you have product-market-fit?
• Are your services profitable?

Which of these insights resonated most with you? Share your thoughts in the comments.

For more insights from Celi, you can find her at thegrownassbusiness.com or follow her on social media @CeliGrowsBusiness.

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