Grit & Growth

What every entrepreneur needs to know about growing a business with purpose and resilience.

Grit and Growth: Candid Stories and Lessons for Building a Small Business with Purpose is a journey into what entrepreneurship really looks and feels like, packed with insights to help you build your small business toolkit. From doubt and disappointments to passion, purpose, and resolve — all are on the path to starting and growing a successful small business.

Drawing on more than two decades of educating and encouraging small business owners, I joined DreamSpring founder Anne Haines and journalist Laura Marrich to debunk myths, challenge status quo ideas, and inspire entrepreneurs each step of the way — from making the initial leap to exit strategies and succession.

PRAISE FOR GRIT & GROWTH

"Practical wisdom, but also a love letter to future entrepreneurs - a celebration of the human spirit and the will to strive, to risk, and to dream."

Thomas A. Gougeon - President, Gates Family Foundation

"A masterful account of what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Read, learn, be equipped, and be inspired."

Dr. Brett Theodos - Director, Center for Local Finance and Growth, Urban Institute

"Destined to quickly become the go-to bible for present and future entrepreneurs. Priceless advice and counsel to anyone in the business world."

Ann Rhoades - President, Peopleink; Exec Founder, JetBlue Airlines

"An inspiring and practical guide that combines entrepreneurial wisdom with deeply human storytelling. An encouraging, insightful companion for anyone seeking to build or grow a business with intention and heart."

Joyce Klein - Director, Business Ownership Initiative, The Aspen Institute

"More than half of new small businesses in America don't make it for more than three years. Unfortunately, most entrepreneurship books are about the literally lucky few who succeed wildly, not the majority who have to deploy all their grit and more to grow. In this book, Anne, Amber, and Laura share the stories and lessons of entrepreneurs like you, not the lucky few. Even better, they have had to live those lessons themselves building one of the toughest businesses out there - a lender to entrepreneurs like themselves."

Timothy N. Ogden - Executive Partner, Sona Partners