When I started, the goal was simple: to builda company that could make a real difference. Today, we're doing just that.We've always focused on solving the customer's problem. That's the core of whatwe do. Early on, we realized we needed to be adaptable, to shift our focus asthe market changed. That meant constant learning and a willingness to try newthings.

One of the biggest hurdles was scaling up. Wehad to learn how to manage growth without losing the qualities that made ussuccessful in the first place. We've learned that you can't be afraid to takecalculated risks, to push boundaries. We've always believed in investing in ourteam. We know that our people are our greatest asset. Building a strong cultureof collaboration and open communication has been critical.

Key insights:

🔹 Prioritize solving the customer'score problem.

🔹 Adapt to market changes bycontinually learning.

🔹 Manage growth without compromisingcore values.

🔹 Take calculated risks and pushboundaries.

🔹 Invest in your team and fostercollaboration.

Reflecting on the journey, I'm grateful forthe chance to share these experiences with MacRAE’S. Thanks to the host for theinsightful questions.

My career started in the trades. I worked asan electrician's apprentice. Then, I decided to open my own electricalcontracting business. That was 15 years ago. The first few years were tough. Iwas doing everything: answering phones, ordering supplies, managing the crews.I learned a lot about cash flow. I think the biggest lesson was the importanceof building relationships with suppliers. They can really help you out whenyou’re starting. Now, we've got 20 employees and a steady stream of projects.It's been a rewarding journey, to say the least.

Key insights:

🔹 Start small and focus on buildingrelationships.

🔹 Manage cash flow carefully,especially in the early years.

🔹 Learn every aspect of the business.

🔹 Build a good team and empower them.

🔹 Be persistent, even when times aretough.

Looking back, I'm proud of what we've built.Thanks to MacRAE’S and the host for providing a platform to share myexperiences.

Looking back, it’s amazing to see how farwe've come. When we started, we were just a few people with a big idea. Theearly days were all about learning fast and being resourceful. We had to figureout everything ourselves, from building our first product to finding our firstcustomers. It was tough, but we learned so much by doing. I’m proud of the teamwe've built, a group of people who are passionate, dedicated, and alwayspushing us to be better. Seeing our company grow and adapt to the changingmarket has been incredibly rewarding. What keeps me going is the constantchallenge, the opportunity to innovate, and the chance to make a realdifference. We're not just selling a product; we're building something thathelps people every day. That’s what matters most.

Key insights:

🔹 Start with a clear vision and beadaptable.

🔹 Embrace challenges as opportunitiesfor growth.

🔹 Focus on building a strong,dedicated team.

🔹 Prioritize customer needs andsatisfaction.

🔹 Continuously innovate to stayrelevant.

It's been a privilege sharing my story andthese insights with MacRAE’S. I appreciate the chance to reflect on thisjourney.

It all started with a simple observation:there was a gap in the market for a specialized service. I realized thatbusinesses needed help connecting with each other, and I wanted to be the oneto provide it. My journey began with a lot of research, talking to people, andunderstanding the real needs of various industries.

The first few years were all about building asolid foundation. We focused on creating a service that was reliable and easyto use. We wanted to be known for our commitment to quality. It took time,patience, and a lot of hard work. But, seeing the positive impact on ourclients kept me going.

Key insights:

🔹 Start with thorough market researchto identify a real need.

🔹 Prioritize the core values ofreliability and ease of use.

🔹 Invest in building strongrelationships with clients.

🔹 Focus on quality and be patient.

🔹 Embrace challenges as learningopportunities.

Reflecting on how far we've come, I'mincredibly grateful to MacRAE’S and the host for providing a platform to sharethis journey. It's rewarding to see how a simple idea can evolve into somethingimpactful.

It's been quite a journey building ourcompany, and I've learned so much along the way. We started with a simple idea,a desire to create something new in the market. I knew from the beginning thatwe needed a strong team. Finding the right people, those who shared our vision,was critical. We had to be flexible, ready to adapt to market changes. Therewere times when we had to completely rethink our approach. It was tough, butthat willingness to change kept us going.

We focused on the customer. Understandingtheir needs and responding quickly was key. We also invested heavily intechnology. It wasn't always easy, but it gave us an edge. We learned thatevery challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. Perseverance is vital.

Key insights:

🔹 Build a strong team aligned withyour vision.

🔹 Adapt quickly to market changes.

🔹 Prioritize understanding andresponding to customer needs.

🔹 Invest in technology to gain anadvantage.

🔹 Embrace challenges as learningopportunities.

🔹 Persevere through difficulties.

I'm incredibly grateful to MacRAE’S for thechance to share my story with your audience. I appreciate the platform and theinsights shared by the host.

I've always believed in the power of buildingstrong relationships in business. My journey started with a simple idea, andthrough dedication and perseverance, I've seen it evolve into somethingsignificant. It's been a ride filled with challenges, certainly, but alsoincredible opportunities for growth.

One of the most valuable lessons I've learnedis the importance of adaptability. The market is always changing, and you haveto be ready to pivot. Another key has been assembling a team that shares yourvision and is passionate about what they do. I've also learned the value ofcelebrating small wins. It's important to acknowledge progress along the way.

Key insights:

🔹 Build strong relationships.

🔹 Adapt to market changes.

🔹 Assemble a passionate team.

🔹 Celebrate small wins.

🔹 Stay focused on your vision.

Looking back, I'm incredibly grateful for theexperience and the opportunity to share my story. Thank you to MacRAE'S and thehost for providing this platform.

The journey to founding and leading asuccessful company has been a fascinating one, full of unexpected turns andvaluable lessons. From the initial spark of an idea to the daily realities ofbuilding and managing a team, it's a constant learning process. I've alwaysbelieved in the power of adaptability and the importance of staying true toyour core values, even when faced with challenges. One of the most rewardingaspects has been seeing the positive impact our work has on our clients and theindustry.

Key insights:

🔹 Start with a clear vision andmission statement.

🔹 Build a strong, supportive teamaround you.

🔹 Embrace change and be willing topivot when necessary.

🔹 Prioritize customer satisfactionabove all else.

🔹 Never stop learning and seeking newopportunities.

Reflecting on this experience, I'm immenselygrateful for the opportunity to share my story. Thanks to MacRAE’S forproviding this platform to connect and learn together with the host.

As a young professional, I found myself drawn tothe world of construction. I quickly realized that the industry was filled withopportunity, but also challenges. I decided to make it my mission to learn theins and outs of the business, and grow with it. My early career was marked by asteep learning curve. Every project presented a new set of problems to solve,and I had to quickly adapt to changing situations. Over time, I developed aknack for problem-solving, and I began to take on more complex projects.

One of the biggest lessons I learned was theimportance of collaboration. Construction is a team effort, and you need towork with everyone, from the architects to the subcontractors, to get the jobdone right. I also learned the value of staying organized and managing yourtime well. There are so many moving parts, so you need to be able to keep trackof everything and meet deadlines. It's a challenging industry, but it's alsoincredibly rewarding.

Key insights:

🔹 Embrace the steep learning curve of anew industry.

🔹 Adapt quickly to changing situationsand unexpected problems.

🔹 Collaborate effectively with architectsand subcontractors.

🔹 Prioritize organization and timemanagement to meet deadlines.

I'm grateful to MacRAE’S and the host for providingthis opportunity to reflect on my career journey and share what I've learnedalong the way.

It started with a simple idea: to make construction projects run smoother. I'm talking about simplifying the way wesource materials and connect with suppliers. The challenges were clear from thestart. We knew we needed a platform that was easy to use, offered accuratedata, and, most importantly, saved time and money.

It wasn’t always easy. There were times when wehad to rethink our approach. We learned to listen closely to our customers,understand their needs, and adapt our services accordingly.

Key insights:

🔹 Start with a clear understanding of theproblem you want to solve.

🔹 Prioritize user-friendly design in yourproduct.

🔹 Always listen to customer feedback.

🔹 Adapt to changing market needs.

🔹 Focus on saving time and money for yourusers.

Reflecting on the journey, I'm grateful for thesupport and the opportunity to share our story with MacRAE’S. Thanks to thehost for the great conversation.

AT Sensors learned an expensive lesson about digital marketing: great design doesn't guarantee results. After investing in a complete website redesign with stunning visuals and excellent content, traffic still disappointed. The problem? Findability. As Gretchen Alper shared on the MacRAE'S Growth Challenge Podcast, what worked for SEO years ago no longer applies when customers search through ChatGPT instead of Google. The company recently launched a new initiative to optimize for AI-powered search engines, partnering with experts to shift from keyword thinking to prompt-based strategies. The early findings have already surprised them.