How Susie Carder Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business from Her Kitchen Table

Susie Carder might be a millionaire today, but she has had to work hard and smart to get where she is. She has a 20-year track record of helping companies, big and small, develop and implement strategic business plans that result in dramatic growth. Susie’s business structures have not only helped clients overcome turbulence and uncertainty; they have helped create multi-million dollar businesses as well.

We asked Susie what her secret was, and she said, “Ignorance is not bliss, it’s expensive! It took me many years and many thousands of dollars to get to where I am. I have made millions for myself and have helped thousands of clients earn millions too. It all came from learning what to do and what not to do.” She shared with us six things that helped her build a multi-million dollar business from her kitchen table.  According to Susie, it is not about where you are right now or what you don’t have. Instead, it is about where you want to be in the future, what you are willing to do to get there, what you have right now, and your approach to each of these six things.

How Susie Carder Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business from Her Kitchen Table

1. She Had Some Capital and Cash Flow

Starting your dream business without at least some money will not get you anywhere. You need to invest some capital into your idea for it to come to life. If you don’t have enough money, you can borrow from institutions, friends, family, or look for investors who will believe in your idea. To start off, Susie Carder had to supplement what she had with some borrowed capital (even from her credit cards). What are you willing to do to start your dream?

2. She Had a Good Business Plan

Having a good business plan is imperative to your success. When you fail to plan, you are actually planning to fail. While up to 500,000 businesses are started every month around the country, as many as 80% do not make it past their first year due to poor planning. Susie says, “The way you plan your projections will either make or break you.” Before you start doing something, take enough time to learn plan ahead of every action. Know what to do, why should do it, how to do it, and get to work. You cannot reach your goals if you don’t plan how to.

3. She Gave Her Clients What They Wanted

For Susie to grow her business, she had to think of her customers. By putting the needs of her customers before her own, she was able to curate products and services that were always on demand. It is very important that you give your clients what they want, even if it changes what you thought was ideal for them. Successful entrepreneurs know that the customer is always right.

4. She Did Not Give Up

If this was what you’ve always dreamt of doing, why give up in the middle? It doesn’t make any sense sticking to the fight only to give up when you are halfway through. You never know when you will strike gold. All you have to do is keep going, work more than you expected, and get over the frustrations of being constantly rejected by customers. Choose to see the positive side of the journey, but don’t forget the challenges. Instead, learn from them and keep going.

5. She Only Worked with the Right People

Working from her kitchen table, Susie Carder knew she could not do it all alone. That is why she chose to hire some help. This help came in the form of what she refers to as “good employees”. These are the people who kept Susie’s business running even when she couldn’t. Get people who are as passionate as you are about the business and they will treat it as their own. Don’t forget to reward them and create a good working environment for them. It’s the best you could do to keep your business afloat. In the same subject of employees, Susie stresses the importance of knowing when to let go of non-performing members of your team. As much as you might want to keep them, you have to save your business, so make the right choices by keeping only the right people.

6. She Balanced Work and Life

Susie Carder has had to wear many hats, among them single mother to two daughters. Being a parent, however, did not stop her from achieving. When she was just starting, Susie was hardly making enough money to raise her daughters. Instead of working her head off, she came up with a work-life balance that enabled her to work three days a week and parent the rest of the time.

While most people dwell on the challenges they faced on their way up the ladder of success, Susie Carder talks about achievements and how she attained them. It is the passion and positive attitude that helped her get where the majority only dream about. The difference between Susie and you is that she decided against all odds, to pursue her dream – unless of course you also decide to do the same.