In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Conrad Ruiz, founder of Well Aware, shares his journey from earning just $2,500 in his first year and struggling through three challenging years to building a thriving virtual assistant and fractional COO business. He discusses the importance of time management, customer delight, and persistence in overcoming uncertainty and growing a company. Conrad reveals how Well Aware expanded to a network of more than 50 virtual assistants while staying focused on helping business owners reclaim their time. The conversation also explores leadership, team building, accountability, and his ambitious goal of scaling the business beyond $1 million in annual revenue. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. 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: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Conrad Ruiz shares that the hardest part of growing a small business is persisting through uncertainty when results are not guaranteed. He reflects on the challenging early years, where survival, self-doubt, and ambiguity were constant realities. Conrad emphasizes that entrepreneurs must learn to navigate discomfort daily and keep moving forward until they transition from simply surviving to building a business that can truly thrive. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Conrad Ruiz shares that the business book that has helped him the most is Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. Although it is not a traditional business book, he believes it should be treated as one because it offers powerful lessons on time, priorities, and making the most of a limited life. The book helped shape his perspective on managing time effectively while building and growing a business. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Conrad Ruiz shares that he is not a heavy podcast listener, but recommends learning from high-quality newsletters, blogs, workshops, and industry experts. He highlights the content from Lavender AI as a great example, noting that its blog provides practical lessons on cold email outreach and copywriting. Conrad also encourages business owners to stay curious, network with knowledgeable people, and continuously learn from real-world experiences, mentors, and hands-on problem-solving. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Conrad Ruiz recommends having an extra pair of hands to help you grow, specifically a virtual assistant. He explains that business owners often spend too much time on tasks that can be delegated, limiting their ability to focus on growth. By bringing in the right support, entrepreneurs can free up valuable time, increase productivity, and concentrate on higher-value activities that drive the business forward. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Conrad Ruiz shares that if he could speak to himself on day one, he would say, "You're an idiot, but it's okay—there's so much you're going to figure out." He reflects on how much learning comes through experience and mistakes. Drawing on advice from his 99-year-old father, Conrad emphasizes one simple lesson above all: take your time, trust the process, and allow yourself the space to grow as an entrepreneur. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth '/?journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Don't obsess over anything other than creating value for the well-being of others — Conrad Ruiz The hardest part of entrepreneurship is persisting through uncertainty when you don't know if it will work — Conrad Ruiz Take your time—growth comes from experience, mistakes, and the lessons you learn along the way — Conrad Ruiz
