What does every business need regardless of industry?

REVENUE

Revenue is the foundation that turns a hobby into a business.

It’s what keeps a company alive, but a lack of it can shut the doors for good.

In this episode of Room for Revenue, I share my ‘why’—why I’m passionate about driving revenue, why every business should diversify its income streams, and how Room for Revenue was born.

Growing Up in an Entrepreneurial Family

Both of my parents were entrepreneurs, and they lived by a simple belief: you don’t need a traditional job to make a living.

Watching them build their businesses from the ground up taught me three important lessons.

1. JOBS PROVIDE SECURITY

Every entrepreneur knows that your clients are your lifeblood. Each day is spent innovating to better serve them because every sale, every referral, and every believer in your product is what keeps your business alive. There are no “off” days. Without sales, the doors close—something no entrepreneur wants to face.

I saw this firsthand with my parents. I remember my mom missing my sporting events or working long hours just to keep things running. That’s the reality of entrepreneurship: you never clock out. Resilience is a mental game. You’ll feel fatigued, you’ll question whether your product is worth all the hard work and sacrifice—but you keep going. And when things get tough, you innovate.

2. NO IDEA IS A BAD IDEA UNLESS YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN IT

Growing up, my parents encouraged us to share our ideas and execute them. When something didn’t work, they admired our willingness to innovate.

Take my first lemonade stand, for example. I made just $1. It was 100 degrees in Arizona, and I couldn’t understand why no one wanted my lemonade. It was fresh, and I believed in the product. But the problem? My location—a quiet cul-de-sac where people could easily make their own lemonade.

So, I innovated.

I asked myself, what’s something people could do, but hated doing? The answer was pulling weeds. I went door-to-door in my neighborhood, offering to pull weeds for $5 per visit. I booked so many clients that I barely made it back home before the streetlights came on. I ended the day with $30—not bad for a hot, exhausting day of work.

More importantly, I learned that success comes from believing in your product and adapting to your audience’s needs.

3. MARKETING CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOU, SIMPLIFY IT

When my parents started their businesses, no one knew them. They worked long hours and made just enough to get by—until they started marketing. My mom’s restaurant was in Cocoa Beach, Florida, a popular party destination. The locals knew about us, but 90% of our customers were weekend tourists.

We’d walk the beach every weekend, handing out flyers and waiting for people to come to us. But imagine if we had delivered food directly to the beach! No one wants to leave once they’re settled in the sand. That’s a lesson I take to heart in marketing: it’s about going to where your customers are, not waiting for them to find you.

Another key takeaway: always get the customer’s information. At conventions, for example, don’t just hand out business cards and hope people follow up. Collect their contact details—LinkedIn is my favorite—so you can follow up and stay top of mind without being pushy. No one likes a hard-sell, so market in a way that makes people fond of you, not frustrated.

Revenue Isn’t Just Numbers—It's driven from innovation & collaboration

How have you driven revenue in your business by thinking outside the box? I’d love to hear your story—comment below or send me a message. Let’s chat, because there’s always Room For Revenue!