Editor’s note: The following is a guest article by Brian Lim, founder and CEO at Emazing Group Brands, and Ben Oliveri, writer at QuickBooks Enterprise.
In this article, Brian will reveal how intentional networking and joining an entrepreneur support group helped him take Emazing Group Brands from fast food parking lots to a $40 million annual run rate.
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When I launched EmazingLights 10 years ago, I was basically running it by myself. I had bootstrapped the company using In-N-Out Burger parking lots as my first marketing channel. I felt like I could continue to grow on my own, hire the talent I needed, and contract consultants for anything else.
Today, my team and I have grown EmazingLights, started a new line called iHeartRaves, and acquired INTO THE AM, to form Emazing Group, a business with a $40 million annual run rate. Through this journey, I have learned that networking and entrepreneur support groups are a much better option than going it alone.
Looking back, growing a business through product market fit and profitable growth by myself was at times isolating and overwhelming.
Whether you are building a manufacturing business, an e-commerce company, or a marketing agency, networking to build stronger connections and joining entrepreneur groups can provide a key support mechanism and supplement to your existing abilities.