From Scratch to Success: Scaling Your Business in New Cities
Relocating to a new location can feel like starting from scratch—not just personally, but professionally as well.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur growing a service-based business or a consultant scaling your operations, the challenges remain the same: how do you build a client base in a completely unfamiliar environment?
My husband, Bayron, and I both faced this challenge head-on as we relocated multiple times across Mexico.
Our experiences show that strong business fundamental skills, no matter where you are in the world, form the foundation for sustainable success.
Bayron’s Journey: Re-Building a Cleaning Business Three Times
Bayron’s story began in Nicaragua, but it wasn’t until he moved to Mexico that his entrepreneurial journey with Details Cleaning, his successful cleaning business, really took off. Moving first to Playa del Carmen, then to Merida, and finally landing in Cabo San Lucas. What’s remarkable about his journey is not just that he built a thriving business—it’s that he built it from scratch in each 👏 new 👏 town.
Each time we moved, Bayron started with a clean slate—no client base, no prior connections, and little local knowledge. What he did have were the core business fundamentals: a relentless work ethic, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong grasp of social media and word-of-mouth marketing. Social media was always our starting point in each city, and in Playa del Carmen, it helped get the ball rolling by encouraging customers to share their experiences. By the time we moved to Merida, we were able to capitalize on the testimonials he received in Playa, making it easier to gain traction. In all three towns, once he started working, referrals became another key source of client leads. Cabo San Lucas came with its own challenges, but the formula remained the same: build relationships, deliver quality, and let referrals do the rest.
My Similar Journey: From Sales to Consulting
Before Bayron built a cleaning empire, I was actually on my own path, starting my sales career in Kentucky before moving to Philadelphia and, eventually, Mexico. With each move, I also had to rebuild everything from the ground up. Like Bayron, I relied heavily on social media and networking to make connections in unfamiliar places. When I began working as a Business Fundamentals Consultant in Central America, I found myself once again tapping into the same foundational skills that had helped me succeed in sales—knowing how to network strategically, present myself online, and foster trust through word-of-mouth referrals.
No matter where I went, these core business principles followed me. Just as Bayron’s cleaning business thrived on repeat clients and referrals, my consulting business grew through relationships and trust built over time.
The Role of Business Fundamentals in Scaling Your Business
What ties our journeys together is the undeniable importance of foundational business skills. Whether you're in a service-based industry like Bayron or a consultant like me, the pillars of networking, social media, and word-of-mouth marketing are essential.
Here’s why:
Networking: Be it meeting people at the local coffee shop, the dog park, or attending industry events, networking is key to establishing your presence in any new location. For Bayron, it meant introducing himself to residents and getting involved in the community. For me, it was about tapping into professional networks and online communities like the Entreprenista League.
Social Media: Today, a strong social media presence is non-negotiable. Bayron joining and being active in Facebook groups to promote his cleaning services was instrumental in re-building his Details Cleaning client base, just as my online presence has allowed me to expand my reach as a consultant.
Word-of-Mouth: This is where the magic happens. Deliver exceptional service, and clients will do the marketing for you. Bayron’s thorough attention to detail has earned him glowing testimonials which led to valuable referrals, while my commitment to coaching businesses has led to clients recommending me to friends and colleagues.
Reflecting on the Importance of Business Fundamentals
Both Bayron and I have navigated the challenges of starting from scratch in new environments, and what made the difference in our success wasn’t luck.
We worked hard and leveraged our unique talents. In each new town, we had to put ourselves out there, and our skills eventually shone through. Regardless of the nature of your business, these core principles are critical to growth.
As entrepreneurs, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and overlook the importance of building on solid ground. But without these business fundamentals, scaling is all but impossible. This is why at Abambyh Business Coaching, we help entrepreneurs like you develop and strengthen these essential skills, empowering you to thrive no matter where your business journey takes you.
Ready to scale your business or refine your approach? Consider a 23-Hour Collab where you’ll get 23 hours of dedicated coaching time with me over one month as well as the support of the entire Abambyh Business team to reach your business goals.
Or just looking to get your toes wet? Check out these digital downloads and work at your own pace: Drafting a Business Plan: Blueprint for Success and/or Prospecting: Professional Alliances, Centers of Influence, and Natural Market.
Let’s build from the ground up, together.