From Solo Entrepreneur to Franchisor: 20 Years of Business Growth With EO

Starting a business doesn’t just change your career—it changes you.

Over the past 20 years, Aldea Home & Baby has blossomed into a cornerstone for stylish, sustainable furnishings in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and online. But my journey to success wasn’t without its challenges. As I undertake a significant next step in scaling my business—opening the Aldea model to interested franchisees across the country—I realize my success wouldn’t have been possible without the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)’s role in my professional and personal evolution.

Aldea Home has always been a labor of love, and thanks to its success, a great source of pride. This isn’t to say that it’s always been a smooth journey. A few years in, I found myself overwhelmed by the impending loss of my father and some misguided hiring decisions. This unfortunate mix of personal and professional concerns made me feel alone in my struggles.

Joining EO was a game-changer. Connecting with members who faced similar hurdles provided clarity and direction, helping me overcome obstacles and move forward. My EO Forum served as a sounding board to examine my challenges—both personal and professional. Forum is a place to hear the shared experiences and lessons learned from multiple other entrepreneurs who have faced similar business situations and found their way through them.

Here’s how, with the support of the EO community, I found new ways to work and began to truly gain traction in my business’s success.

1. Managing Relationship Challenges

EO taught me to recognize and navigate personal relationships that were hindering my progress. Through the support of my EO Forum, I felt heard and was able to break free from familiar cycles, fostering both personal and business growth.

I’m always surprised how, in EO, you can reach out to the network of entrepreneurs with a particular need, and there is always someone who will share a recommendation. I remember a time when I was facing an employment issue with a new employee who was not a great fit for us, and it became clear that there were going to be major issues. One morning, I asked my cohorts for an HR recommendation. By that same afternoon, not only did I have someone on my side, but I was working toward a resolution. In the end, the employee decided to leave, but all anger had been resolved. My staff felt relief that a potentially volatile situation had been handled by a professional who had been able to step in and clarify the issues for all parties involved.

2. Asking for (and Offering) Help

The EO community’s support is invaluable during the daily challenges of entrepreneurship, and that was especially true during the pandemic. From practical assistance, like boarding up my store windows in anticipation of a local riot, to the personal growth opportunities that I gained through my role managing our chapter’s learning calendar, EO members stood by me. That role deepened my understanding of leadership and group dynamics in ways I couldn’t have learned from a book or a coach.

Since joining EO, my self-confidence has grown. I’ve been able to realize my unique strengths and identify where I need assistance. I’ve been able to rely on my staff when needed, and lead them through challenging customers, supply chain deficits, and out-of-the-box ideas. I used to suffer from imposter syndrome, feeling like I was less than my fellow entrepreneurs. Now, I’m excited to grow into my skill set and lead my business into the future.

3. Embracing the Next Big Step

And while experience is a great teacher, EO’s educational programs have done even more to shape me into a better business owner. Seminars in Asana and business presentations broadened my skill set. A customer experience workshop helped me narrow down our demographic and understand how Aldea’s unique offering differentiates us and helps our brand stand out from the competition. And EO’s unparalleled access to entrepreneurs who are also franchising has smoothed my path to expanding Aldea. EO members happily reached out and made introductions to assist me in my journey.

Perhaps most importantly, EO helped me clarify and prioritize my goals. My previous management style was reactive in nature – I would mostly respond to immediate problems without an overarching, forward-thinking strategy. But my EO experience has taught me to think long-term and focus on what I ultimately want to achieve.

In fact, thinking about my long-term plan helped me realize that franchising Aldea Home & Baby is the logical next step to grow and scale my business. Through EO, I learned how to develop and refine a business model that offers stylish, sustainable home goods sold by knowledgeable staff—a perfect fit for any city or town with a discerning customer base. And it works perfectly with my personal mission to promote eco-friendly products nationwide. As I seek like-minded partners to open Aldea franchises, I feel confident knowing EO’s support will guide me on this exciting journey.

Contributed to EO by Johanna Bialkin, an EO San Francisco member who is the founder and CEO of Aldea Home & Baby.

For more insights and inspiration from today’s leading entrepreneurs, check out EO on Inc. and more articles from the EO blog.