Every entrepreneur knows that the road from side hustle to CEO is filled with hurdles. But with the right tools and mindset, it’s possible to scale a passion project into a thriving business. Susan Harrow is a media coach and marketing expert who helps entrepreneurs, authors, and business owners craft their messages and master publicity to grow their brands. With years of experience running her business, PR Secrets, Susan empowers her clients to confidently share their stories with the world. But like many business owners, she faced challenges with her tech stack, especially as her business grew from a side hustle into a thriving company.
The Struggle: From Overwhelmed Side Hustler to CEO Aspirations
Susan’s journey began as a side hustle while she worked in other industries, but her passion for helping others find their voice eventually became her full-time career. Over the years, she built PR Secrets into a respected brand, serving clients worldwide. However, scaling her business came with complexities—particularly in managing multiple tools and platforms.
When Susan and her team decided to switch to Kartra, it marked the next step in streamlining her business, so it could scale. Prior to Kartra, she had already migrated their business once, moving from OneShoppingCart to Groove. Unfortunately, the transition to Groove proved problematic. “Groove was driving us insane,” Susan recalls. “We weren’t getting any solutions to the problems we faced, and reliability was a major concern.”
The Leap: Switching to Kartra
Making the decision to migrate to a new platform was a big leap, but Susan knew it was the only way to scale her business and make the transition from side hustler to CEO.
“Kartra felt like the right choice from the start,” said Natalie, who runs Susan’s marketing team. “It gave us everything we needed in one place. The potential was obvious.”
So, they took the plunge. The migration to Kartra wasn’t simple, but the team’s determination kept them focused. It wasn’t just about solving technical issues—it was about finding the right foundation to grow their business
The Real Transformation: How Kartra Took Susan’s Business to the Next Level
Once Susan and her team integrated Kartra into their operations, they immediately noticed how much simpler things became. The features they needed were finally all in one place, making it easier to run the business and focus on growth.
Here are the game-changing features that helped Susan move from overwhelmed to CEO-ready:
Simplicity That Empowers the CEO
As someone who doesn’t consider herself “techy,” Susan was concerned about getting overwhelmed by the platform. But Kartra’s intuitive design made it easy for her to take control. “I used to rely on Natalie for everything,” Susan said. “Now, I can handle basic tasks myself. It’s empowering.”
Reliable Email Deliverability
For Susan, one of the biggest headaches with their old system was unreliable email delivery. With Kartra’s robust email service, her team could trust that every message would be delivered on time and to the right people. “Kartra’s email SMTP is reliable—finally,” said Natalie. “No more worrying if our emails are actually reaching our audience. That peace of mind has been priceless.”
Actionable Insights with Analytics
Susan’s new clarity came with Kartra’s detailed analytics. She could now track the success of her campaigns and make data-driven decisions. “I can see exactly how our opt-ins are performing,” Natalie explained. “Before, we had no visibility into that. Now, every decision we make is informed by clear data.”
Engagement Tools that Drive Action
Kartra’s ability to integrate call-to-actions in videos and forms meant Susan’s team could engage potential customers at every touchpoint. “The interactive videos with built-in CTAs have been a game-changer,” Natalie shared. “We’re seeing better engagement and higher conversions just from adding these.”
How Kartra Helped Alicia Achieve Her Business Goals
Kartra has been a vital part of Alicia’s success. Here’s how it made a difference for her business:
- Ease of Use
Kartra’s intuitive interface allowed Alicia to get started without needing a tech team. It simplified her workflow, giving her the confidence to build and scale her business on her own. - Automation
Kartra’s automation features saved Alicia valuable time. By automating emails, funnels, and membership management, she was able to focus on coaching and growing her business. - Scalability
With Kartra, Alicia was able to grow from one-on-one coaching to one-to-many programs. She could easily expand her offerings as her business grew. - Membership Site Management
Managing her membership site through Kartra made Alicia’s life easier. Kartra allowed her to deliver value while staying organized, keeping everything streamlined and efficient. - Affiliate Program
Alicia successfully launched affiliate programs with Kartra, generating over $3.6 million in affiliate commissions. The platform’s seamless affiliate system helped her manage and track affiliates with ease.
The Results: Small Wins that Lead to Big Growth
The results of switching to Kartra didn’t take long to show. While the team was still in the early stages, they were already seeing positive changes. Susan and her team’s success is a testament to their dedication, vision, and hard work. The platform didn’t create their success—it supported her existing efforts and allowed her to scale her impact.
Susan Harrow’s journey is an inspiring example of what’s possible when expertise and technology come together. “I feel like we’re finally in a place where everything just works,” Susan says. “Kartra has given us the clarity and efficiency we’ve been searching for.”
“We’re just getting started, but we’re already seeing great results,” For Susan, the biggest win has been the clarity she now has in her business. “I can see what’s working and what isn’t,” she explained. “That’s so important for me as a CEO. It helps me tweak our strategy and stay on track.
The CEO Mindset: Leading with Confidence and Clarity
Susan’s experience with Kartra has helped her embrace the role of CEO with more confidence than ever before. What once felt like an overwhelming side hustle is now a thriving business, and Kartra has given her the tools to manage and grow it effectively.
“Kartra is more than just a tool for us,” Natalie said. “It’s helped us build momentum and make smarter decisions, every step of the way.”
For Susan, it’s about more than just business success—it’s about taking charge of her future. “I’ve got the clarity I need to grow this business the way I’ve always wanted,” she said. “I feel like I’m finally in control.”
Are You Ready to Make the Leap?
It’s time to stop juggling multiple platforms, dealing with unreliable systems, and struggling to make things work. Kartra is the all-in-one solution that can help you build the business you’ve always dreamed of.
Learn more about Susan’s work at PR Secrets and see how Kartra can support your journey to entrepreneurial success.
Get started with today!