Grit and Growth

What every entrepreneur needs to know about growing a business with purpose and resilience. Grit and Growth: Candid Stories and Lessons for Building a Small Business with Purpose is a captivating journey into what entrepreneurship really looks like, packed with invaluable insights to help you build your small business toolkit. From doubt and disappointments to passion, purpose, and resolve—all are on the path to starting and growing a successful small business. Authors Anne Haines, Amber Kani, and Laura Marrich share practical tools alongside real-life stories, drawing on DreamSpring’s 30-year evolution from a tiny startup to a national leader in small business development.   Through real-world lessons, authentic testimonials, reflective exercises, and practical frameworks, this guide lays out the skills and resources that every entrepreneur needs to master, like clarifying your purpose, developing values-driven leadership, amplifying your strengths, and cultivating communities of support. The authors’ on-the-ground guidance prepares you to meet obstacles head-on and leverage your unique capabilities. In the book, you will: Learn to define and refine your business’s core values and mission for clearer direction and impact. Gain insights from real small business owners who have turned their struggles and challenges into steppingstones for success. Develop a robust understanding of leadership and self-assessment to enhance your entrepreneurial journey.   Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a small business owner, or a nonprofit leader, Grit and Growth is a clear-eyed companion for navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Get your copy now and start forging your path with grit, growth, and purpose.

Introduction xiii Chapter 1 The Sparks: Early Influences, Lived Experiences, Values, and Your North Star 1 Chapter 2 The Leap: Fear, Courage, Risk-Taking, and Passion 15 Chapter 3 The Part No One Talks About: Isolation, Self-Doubt, Vulnerability, and Networks 29 Chapter 4 The People Factor: Relationships, Culture, and Communication 45 Chapter 5 Breakthroughs: Small Wins, Creativity, Resourcefulness, and Perseverance 59 Chapter 6 Laughing All the Way: Play, Humor, and Joy 73 Chapter 7 The Pivot: Change, Reinvention, and Adaptability 85 Chapter 8 Home Runs: Success, Growth, and Impact 99 Chapter 9 Reckoning: Crisis, Failure, Burnout, and Clarity 113 Chapter 10 Clawing Back: Comebacks, Financial Insight, and Resilience 127 Chapter 11 Full Circle: Succession Planning, Exits, and Legacy 139 Epilogue: Life Lessons from Three Decades of Entrepreneurship 153 Notes 157 Acknowledgments 161 About the Authors 165 Index 167