Discover Cath McDowell's journey scaling Howrah Plumbing to $12M revenue and a team of 47 over 29 years. Learn how her leadership turned a small business into a thriving enterprise with a robust company culture. (Episode 558 - Cath McDowell)
In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Cath McDowell, the driving force behind Howrah Plumbing. Cath reveals her journey from managing a small business to scaling it to $12M in revenue with a team of 47 over 29 years. She shares insights on building a strong company culture and the challenges of growth. Tune in to learn how dedication and strategic leadership transformed her enterprise into a thriving success.
Other Resources:
Marketing Funding Flywheel Ebook
Mark Ritson, ex-Business School Professor, now heads the CPD-accredited Mini MBA in Marketing with 20,000 alumni in 60 countries and a team of 8 FTEs.
Craig West on how ESOPs can boost productivity by 7%-23%, triple team engagement, and double retention, plus insights on benefits, costs, and timelines.
Tom Lewin on Employee Share Plans: boost staff retention, transparency.
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Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, being a learner again when moving into a new industry, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.
And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:
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What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?
Cath McDowell believes the hardest part of growing a small business is maintaining a strong company culture while scaling. Balancing growth with the personal touch that built the business initially can be a significant challenge.
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What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most?
Cath McDowell mentions that she doesn't have a favorite business book, as she primarily focused on training courses and practical skills for her professional development.
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Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?
Cath McDowell doesn't have specific recommendations for podcasts or online learning resources for growing a small business. She prefers practical training and hands-on learning over online resources.
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What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?
Cath McDowell recommends having strong support around you as a key tool for growing a small business. She emphasizes the importance of a good team and supportive people who can help with daily tasks, job reviews, and equipment decisions.
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What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?
Cath McDowell would advise herself to take holidays whenever possible and enjoy time off. She reflects that she never expected to stay at the same company for her entire career, and encourages balancing work with personal time.
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Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:
Being committed to your business is a long-term dedication; it’s not a short-term project — Cath McDowell
Feedback from employees who’ve worked elsewhere can be incredibly valuable and reaffirming — Cath McDowell
Creating a strong company culture means valuing what happens outside of work and rewarding your team — Cath McDowell
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