Small Steps, Big Strides: Growing a Family Business

When I took my first job out of university at a small digital marketing agency, I couldn’t have imagined that just seven years later I’d be co-running a marketing agency of my own. Sometimes life takes us on unexpected journeys, and it’s only in hindsight that we realise we were on the right path all along.

In 2023, I made a bold decision to quit my corporate job and set up my own practice as a coach. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the ripple effects this choice would have. Meanwhile, Alex, my husband and now co-director at AmplifiED School’s Marketing, was exploring a business idea of his own.

What I didn’t know then was that my leap of faith would inspire Alex to take one of his own. He later shared that watching me go solo in my career gave him the confidence to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions.

Fast forward to today, and just over a year since Alex started AmplifiED School’s Marketing, we have experienced exponential growth. The company has evolved from a one-person operation to a team of four. We’ve moved out of our spare room office and into a proper workspace, and our client roster has expanded from a handful to over a dozen.

Big things happen through small steps. As I reflect on what has been an incredible and life-changing year in 2024, I’d like to share a few key insights that have made a significant difference in building a business as a couple:

1. Play to Your Strengths

Recognise your unique skills and contributions. By dividing responsibilities based on our strengths, Alex and I have been able to focus on what we do best, creating a stronger foundation for our business.

2. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

Growth often comes from challenges that push us beyond what feels comfortable. Some of our biggest strides as a business came from taking on opportunities we didn’t feel fully prepared for but rose to meet.

3. Invest in People

Becoming an employer has been one of the most rewarding and daunting aspects of this journey. Taking on the responsibility for someone else’s livelihood is no small task, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling to build and nurture a team.

Looking back, the decision to take that initial leap, first as a coach, then as business owners, has been transformative. Our journey so far has reinforced the idea that small, deliberate steps can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Here’s to many more steps, and the adventures they bring, in the years ahead.

Written by

Flo Parker