In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast host Troy Trewin interviews Cheryl Contee, founder of BrightWorks AI, shares how she built a purpose-driven SaaS company serving nonprofits, scaled it to a 12-person team with multi-million-dollar revenue, and achieved a historic exit as the first Black female founder to sell a tech startup to a Nasdaq-listed company. Cheryl discusses the realities of fundraising, hiring, leadership, and planning for a successful exit while emphasizing the power of relationships and reputation. She also explains why she is now helping nonprofits adopt AI ethically through her latest venture. This conversation is packed with practical lessons on resilience, innovation, and building a business that creates lasting impact. Also check Cheryl Contee's book, AI for Nonprofits: Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work for Your Cause, and her appearance on the Built to Sell Radio podcast, where she shares how she built and successfully sold Attentive.ly, an AI-powered social listening platform acquired by Blackbaud. 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? Cheryl Contee shares that the hardest part of growing a small business is having the confidence to believe in yourself, especially when no one else believes in your vision. Cheryl Contee shares that entrepreneurs must be willing to put in 110% effort and embrace hard work every day. Cheryl Contee shares that self-belief is what keeps founders moving forward through uncertainty and setbacks. Cheryl Contee shares that lasting success comes from combining confidence with consistent dedication and perseverance.
What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Cheryl Contee shares that her favorite business book is Who Moved My Cheese? because its lessons about adapting to change are even more relevant in today's fast-changing business world. Cheryl Contee shares that entrepreneurs must be willing to follow new opportunities instead of clinging to old ways of working. Cheryl Contee shares that embracing change with the right mindset helps business owners stay resilient and competitive. Cheryl Contee shares that continuous adaptation is essential for long-term business success.
Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Cheryl Contee shares that she highly recommends Apple News+ for access to trusted publications like The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Atlantic, and The Guardian, offering broad and in-depth business insights. Cheryl Contee shares that YouTube has also become one of her favorite learning platforms, especially for independent experts and international news sources. Cheryl Contee shares that exploring multiple perspectives helps business owners make better-informed decisions. Cheryl Contee shares that continuous learning from diverse, credible sources is essential for staying ahead in a rapidly changing world.
What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Cheryl Contee shares that one of the best tools for growing a small business is a well-crafted pitch deck rather than a lengthy business plan. Cheryl Contee shares that a 10–15 slide pitch deck helps entrepreneurs clearly define their market, customers, competitors, business model, and growth strategy. Cheryl Contee shares that answering these core questions creates clarity and prepares business owners for investors, partners, and opportunities. Cheryl Contee shares that a strong pitch deck is a practical resource for building and scaling a successful business.
What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Cheryl Contee shares that if she could go back to day one, she would remind herself, "You've got this," and trust her ability to succeed. Cheryl Contee shares that embracing what makes you different allows you to see opportunities others may overlook. Cheryl Contee shares that being authentic and courageous opens the door to creating things that have never been done before. Cheryl Contee shares that believing in yourself from the very beginning is one of the greatest advantages an entrepreneur can have.

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:

It's okay to be different because different people see opportunities others miss - Cheryl Contee

Your reputation is the most powerful marketing tool your business will ever have - Cheryl Contee

Plan your exit from day one because successful businesses are built with the end in mind - Cheryl Contee