Founder of Crowds Now, went from restaurants and a chocolate franchise to creating an app with 500K+ users that disrupts influencer marketing by paying everyday people to be brand ambassadors and empower communities. (Episode 720 - Adriana Brusi)

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Adriana Brusi, founder of Crowds Now, takes us through her entrepreneurial journey from restaurants and a chocolate franchise to creating an innovative app with over 500K users. Crowds Now empowers everyday people to earn as brand ambassadors, redefining influencer marketing while helping businesses grow and communities thrive. In this episode, Adriana shares her insights on resilience, scaling ventures, and building lasting impact through innovation and people-first leadership.

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Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, 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:

1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?

Adriana Brusi shared that the hardest thing in growing a small business is managing people. She explained that even one toxic hire can destabilize a company, making recruitment, culture protection, and team management the most challenging aspects of scaling successfully.

2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?

Adriana Brusi shared that her favorite business book, which has helped her the most, is Unreasonable Hospitality. She recommends it even for those outside the hospitality industry, as it offers powerful lessons on service, leadership, and creating exceptional customer experiences.

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?

Adriana Brusi shared that one of the great podcasts she recommends for professional development is Diary of a CEO. She values its diverse topics and practical insights, noting that it provides a wide range of perspectives useful for entrepreneurs looking to grow a small business.

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?

Adriana Brusi shared that a key tool she recommends for growing a small business is a CRM system. She emphasized that it doesn’t need to be complex – platforms like Constant Contact, Campaign Monitor, or Mailchimp are enough – as long as they help maintain data integrity, manage customer relationships, and drive growth effectively.

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?

Adriana Brusi shared that the advice she would give herself on day one of starting out in business is to “just keep going.” She explained that the journey will be hard and messy, with moments of doubt and setbacks, but persistence and resilience are what ultimately lead to success.

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Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

Hire the person, not the resume – skills can be taught, values cannot – Adriana Brusi

In business, resilience turns obstacles into stepping stones – Adriana Brusi

Your people are your greatest asset—or your biggest liability – Adriana Brusi