Running your own business, no matter the size or industry, has never been easy. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting to find your way into the world of business ownership, the fear of failure in the face of so much competition is always present. But, with well laid out plans and fresh, innovative ideas, making your business more profitable than ever before can quickly become a reality.
Yes, it’s true that making your way in the cut-throat business world is an uphill battle. However, that doesn’t mean your entrepreneurial dreams can’t come true. There are so many companies out there that have taken their goals and made them into accomplishments, and by following their example, you can too. Here are five Atlanta based companies whose successes and achievements can inspire you and your business.
- Chick-fil-A
A staple of southern fast-food, Chick-fil-A has taken itself from a small Atlanta diner to the largest fast-food chicken restaurant in the United States, and one of the main reasons for this is their commitment to the ideals put in place by their founder, many of which they uphold to this day. According to the Chick-fil-A website, “Family was always central to [founder] Truett Cathy’s life and would shape his unique approach to business later in life … The current generation of the Cathy family honors Truett’s legacy and continues to put his principles into action in both business and philanthropy.”
By putting respect for both the client and the employee through ideas such as Sunday’s always given off for rest or worship and scholarship programs for higher education, Chick-fil-A developed a reputation for kindness and consideration which greatly appealed to the public. In a world where employees are often treated poorly, making sure your customers know that your staff is treated with respect and admiration can really go a long way, as Chick-fil-A has clearly shown.
- Company.com
Company.com has quickly become one of the fastest growing businesses in Atlanta today. Dedicating themselves to the success of other companies, this business provides services ranging from social networking to operations. But what is the key to their success? By presenting themselves to their prospective clients as past business owners and entrepreneurs they overcome the wall naturally built between buyer and seller, turning themselves into an ally rather than an obstacle.
Their main marketing strategy tells their customer “we’re just like you”. They know and understand the struggles their clients are facing and how overwhelming it can be. They are offering solutions to problems they know all too well instead of just a service you could find anywhere. By blurring the lines between business and customer, Company.com has strategically placed itself in the middle of the marketplace, leading to unbelievable growth in revenue.
- Nuracode
Nuracode is a successful coding company with expertise in software development, digital marketing and more. They’ve worked with big name brands like Sprite, Dreamworks and AARP. But what really sets them apart from other coding businesses? Nuracode is a group of developers who are supplying code based solutions for everything from apps to analytics who are also predominantly African-American. In this way, they are helping to build up a successful community in the tech industry where there are so few people of color.
This is a business that is taking advantage of a quality which makes them unique, all while ensuring their clients that the work they receive will always be top notch. According to their site, “… we are an amazing digital team based in the heart of Atlanta that can (and often do) accomplish anything.” So, by helping to create this community, they are not only providing people of color with the opportunity to break into the tech world but they are simultaneously creating state of the art, elegant technology. Taking their individualism and turning it into a selling point has placed them on a clear and direct path to success.
- Naughty Soda
Capitalizing on the public’s obsession with the Pumpkin Spice flavor and turning it into something completely different led what has now become Naughty Soda to business gold. What originally started out as a home brewing endeavor, Naughty Soda is the creation of brewery enthusiast David Sheets. Through the joint efforts of himself and his partners, they have turned their hobby into one of Atlanta’s most successful new businesses.
As its name suggests, naughty soda gives adults that nostalgic taste while also providing them with 5% alcohol content. “Using all-natural flavors and ingredients, Naughty Soda brings you soda with a real pop.” This company has set themselves up to be a leader and driving force in this niche market. With very little competition, they are able to experiment with their creativity and explore what works and what doesn’t all while maintaining the public’s interest by giving them something fun that will simultaneously take the edge off.
- Southern Company
Committed to progress and possibilities, Southern Company has made itself one of the South’s most successful Fortune 500 companies. They state, “As we build the future of energy, we honor the history of hard work and achievements that laid the groundwork for our success today.” This is a company which embraces where they’ve come from and the hard work of those who came before in order to lead them to the position they are in now, and their reputation for dedication to innovation has let their customers feel confident that their loyalty is to a company striving towards a better future. Their proven efforts in renewable resources and sustainable energy lets the public feel and this is a company which stands for something more than just profit, letting Southern Company stay in a leadership position within the energy industry as they have almost 50 years. Maintaining consistent devotion to a cause has made this company the success it is today.
Regardless of the goals you’ve set for your company, the size, or industry you’re in, making your business a success can be difficult for even the most dedicated entrepreneur, but that doesn’t mean it’s an unattainable dream. By looking at what these companies have done, hopefully you’ll be inspired to bring some new ideas into your business plan that will help you on your road to success.
