In September 2020, I was honored to be featured in the Seattle Times, alongside other innovative entrepreneurs, to share insights on how small businesses can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing economy. Representing Ravenox, I discussed the strategies that have fueled our growth and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.
Building a Foundation for Growth
At Ravenox, growth has come from a commitment to innovation and a focus on the fundamentals. By capitalizing on the latest software and cloud-based technology, we’ve been able to scale like much larger companies while staying true to the customer-first principles that drive our work.
Key elements of our growth have included:
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Expanding brand awareness through education and outreach.
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Diversifying our customer base to reduce dependency on a single revenue stream.
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Upgrading customer management systems to improve service and build trust.
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Empowering our team by sharing responsibility and decision-making, which has allowed the company to thrive beyond owner dependence.
Sean and Genevieve Brownlee holding American-made red, white, and blue rope at the Ravenox factory in North Carolina.
The Challenge of Scaling Customer Service
Scaling while maintaining exceptional customer service has been one of our greatest challenges. Building and training a support team that provides the same level of engagement and care I expect has required time, patience, and continual refinement.
This effort has paid off — Ravenox has achieved 28% year-over-year growth in direct-to-consumer sales, while also expanding into B2B markets, where our products are used as components in other manufacturers’ supply chains.
Sean Brownlee speaks with a Ravenox rope maker operating rope-making machinery at the company’s North Carolina facility.
Recognition Along the Way
Ravenox’s success has also been recognized nationally. In 2018, I was named a finalist for the National Retail Federation’s America’s Retail Champion Award, and in 2019 Ravenox was selected as a finalist in the Amazon Small Business Spotlight Awards. These honors reflect not only our company’s growth, but also the impact small businesses can have on their industries and communities.
Looking Ahead
As we moved through 2020, my focus was on continuing to scale Ravenox alongside our customers; creating American jobs, manufacturing high-quality products, and proving that small businesses can thrive by pairing innovation with values-driven leadership.
Being featured in the Seattle Times was an opportunity to share that journey with a broader audience and to inspire other entrepreneurs to adopt the same mindset: stay adaptable, stay customer-focused, and never lose sight of the mission.
Read the Full Seattle Times Article
For the complete feature, you can view the full Seattle Times article as originally published.
