About Podcast
Running a family-owned business comes with unique pressures, and few know this better than Curt Anderson, the entrepreneur who took over a bankrupt floral wholesale business just three days after graduating college. From being labeled a “train wreck” by his accountant to transforming the company into a top 1,000 e-commerce business, Curt’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and strategic leadership. His story reveals how persistence, smart decision-making, and a willingness to embrace change can turn near-collapse into sustainable success.
In this episode, Curt shares the step-by-step evolution of his business from struggling with multiple locations and outdated operations to pioneering e-commerce adoption in the 1990s. He details the critical role of business infrastructure, outsourcing logistics to a third-party fulfillment center, and building a complementary team, including a key business partner who eventually purchased the company. Curt also recounts pivotal lessons from mentors and advisors, including the tough-but-transformative guidance from his longtime accountant. Along the way, he emphasizes leveraging technology, social media, and innovative marketing strategies to scale efficiently while converting fixed costs into variable expenses for financial flexibility.
Key Takeaways:
- How to recover and scale a struggling family-owned business using strategic leadership and resilience.
- The power of adopting e-commerce and digital tools early to transform traditional operations.
- Building a complementary team and business partnerships to balance skill sets and drive growth.
- Leveraging third-party fulfillment and outsourcing to optimize operations and convert fixed costs into variable expenses.
- The importance of surrounding yourself with advisors who give honest, actionable feedback to accelerate business decisions.
Join us with Curt Anderson as he shares how to turn near-collapse into sustainable growth, scale efficiently, and position your business for long-term success.
- Reviving a Family Business: Curt took over his bankrupt family business in 1990 and turned it around through hard work and learning on the job.
- Embracing E-Commerce: He moved the business online in the 90s, using Google and social media to grow and gain recognition.
- Building a Strong Team: Curt hired a partner and outsourced logistics to scale while keeping costs low.
- Knowing When to Step Down: As the business grew, Curt brought in a partner and sold the company to her.
- Helping Manufacturers with E-Commerce: Now, Curt helps manufacturers with e-commerce and digital marketing through workshops and his book, Stop Being the Best Kept Secret.
Special Guest: Curt Anderson, Founder of B2Btail
Location: Lakewood, NY USA
Air Date: October 06, 2024
Book:
- Stop Being the Best Kept Secret: Manufacturing eCommerce Strategies: a book by Curt Anderson.
Website:
- B2Btail.com: access free training and resource guides to help you on your path to Manufacturing eCommerce success.
Articles by Curt:
- The B2Btail eCommerce Checklist for Beginners
- 25 Blog Topics for Manufacturers Eager to Start Blogging
- Manufacturing Website Call-to-Action Strategies That Work
- Manufacturing Your Keyword Strategy
Podcasts:
- Manufacturing eCommerce Success: join Curt and his co-host Damon Pistulka every Friday for the latest on eCommerce strategies on their LinkedIn live show.
Producer & Host: Alicia Butler Pierre
Audio Editor: Olanrewaju Adeyemo
Sound Design: Sabor! Music Enterprises
Video Editor: Gladys Jimenez
Show notes: Erika Ve Revilla
Sponsor: Equilibria, Inc.More About Guest, Curt Anderson:
Curt founded an e-commerce company in 1995 that was ranked 3X on the Internet Retailer Magazine’s Top 1000 e-commerce Companies. Curt is the author of “Stop Being the Best Kept Secret” and founder of B2Btail.com, an eCommerce resource guide for manufacturers.
More About Host, Alicia Butler Pierre:
Alicia Butler Pierre is the Founder & CEO of Equilibria, Inc.. Her career in operations began over 25 years ago while working in various chemical plants and oil refineries. She invented the Kasennu™ framework for business infrastructure and authored, Behind the Façade: How to Structure Company Operations for Sustainable Success. She is the producer of the weekly top 2% Business Infrastructure podcast with a global audience across 70+ countries.Alicia is also an adjunct instructor of Lean Principles at Purdue University and serves as the USA Chair of the G100’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. The Process Excellence Network recognized her as a Top 50 Thought Leader in Operational Excellence. A chemical engineer turned entrepreneur, she’s designed and optimized processes for small businesses, large enterprises, non-profits, and government organizations alike.
More About Sponsor, Equilibria:
Equilibria, Inc. is an 19-year-old boutique operations management firm. We build the business infrastructure necessary for fast-growing businesses to scale with less pain. With a range of services and products, entrepreneurs can get the operational support and resources they need on demand. 
