We absolutely can not believe it but it has now been FIVE years since NEAT Method began! So much has happened in the past 5 years and coming up with how to recap it was really tough. After much debate, we figured there was no better way to get the highlights than to conduct a first ever interview with Molly & Ashley on what has made NEAT what it is today!
Question #1 :: Wow 5 years!! If only we could go back in time and ask you what you thought the company would look like in 5 years! But since we can't … what do you think you would have said?
Molly :: I would have said that we would be organizing Oprah's closet – think big right?? We were on Oprah.com so that is close right?? No seriously, I would have said we would have expanded to some more markets but if you would tell me we would be in 12, I would have been shocked!
Question #2 :: Those are some ammazing accomplishments. What would you say has been the biggest success of the last five years?
Ashley :: The biggest success has been offering other women the opportunity to run their own business and find financial success doing something they love.
Molly :: Agreed. That and just coming from two completely different industries (personal training and teaching) and being able to learn about what it takes to launch a business and successfully expand it. It has been such an amazing learning process and experience.
Question #3 :: Now please we have to know, have there been any challenges? Give us just one and tell us what you did to get through it!
Molly :: What challenges?? Ha ha! When Ashley found out she would be moving back to Chicago, we were unsure what it would be like to be business partners and live across the country and whether it would work. We literally talk daily and have stepped up our communication and it has gone off without a hitch!
Ashley :: Another challenge we faced was trying to expand our business to new markets without spreading ourselves too thin. We worked with a business coach and came up with processes that really worked and also have the most supportive team with Marissa and Brooke. We are lucky to have amazing women to work with that believe in our business.
Question #4 :: We are sure you have many but can you share one of your goals with us for the next 5 years?!
Ashley :: We would love to become an American Household name. That is going to take some serious expansion and partnerships with other amazing businesses but we are up for the challenge!
Question #5 :: Any funny memories from the last 5 years? We are sure there are many but can you give us one good story?
Molly :: Oh man! That is tough – there have been so many great memories!!! When we first launched, we got the opportunity to travel to Savannah Tennessee to organize for a family that won our services through a giveaway – we brought our Mom's for backup which was hilarious because the business was so small. We slept in twin beds in the cutest bed and breakfast and the whole town treated us like royalty – it was SO FUN!
Ashley :: In our first year of business, we also traveled to NYC for mostly pleasure but decided to see if we could strum up some business. In less than a day of sharing on social media that NEAT was taking over NYC we have 4 inquiries and a PR company call us to ask how we spread the word so fast. We laughed through many glasses of wine about how fast we started the best NEAT rumor ever… now we are REALLY there!!
Question #6 :: Haha those are great stories! If you could give a new entrepreneur one tip for growing a successful company what would it be?
Ashley :: I would say when it is hard to remember that this is the time when most quit – if you keep going, you will likely find that great success you are looking for. I would say when things seem overwhelming, make a to-do list. That is so organizer to say but it helps to really map out what you need to to do in order to get where you want to go. A list helps keep your plans in perspective.
There are so many people who are so grateful that you pushed through the hard times! Here are just a few who wanted to send you a surprise message today, cheers and Happy Anniversary!
xx,
Your NEAT Girls
