When Catalyst Integrators made the Inc. 5000 list, we were thrilled. Over 725% growth in just three years! That’s something to celebrate! But while some business leaders were congratulating us on scaling and strategy, there was another group that thought we’d won a very different award.
You see, our Visionary has a lot of tattoos. Like, a lot. So, when people heard we made “the list,” their first reaction wasn’t about business—it was, “Wait, you won an award for your tattoos?!” Business owners kept giving her confused high-fives, while her tattoo artist just nodded and said, "Finally, they get it."
We get it—some people hear “Inc.,” and tattoo enthusiasts hear “Inked.” It’s a branding mix-up that has made for some hilarious conversations. One CEO asked if she had to get a full sleeve to qualify. In reality, our spot on the Inc. 5000 list represents years of dedication to Catalyst, strategic decisions, and a team that knows how to execute.
So, if you’re dreaming of seeing your company’s name on this prestigious list (the business one, not the tattoo one), here’s what worked for us:
1. Run on EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System®)
EOS gave us clarity, accountability, and a roadmap to scale without breaking our business. Every week, we tackled the right issues in our Level 10 Meetings, stayed true to our core values, and worked toward our big vision. If you’re not running your company on a strong operating system, growth can get messy fast.
2. Hire the Right People (and Get Out of Their Way)
We didn’t hit 725% growth because of one person—we did it because we built a team of incredible people who drive results. Our advice? Find the right people, empower them, and let them do what they do best. Micromanaging kills momentum. As Dan Sullivan would say “Who not How” to build a self-managing company.
3. Focus on Process and Execution
A Visionary can dream big all day long, but if there’s no execution, it’s just talk. We honed our processes, optimized efficiency, and made sure we weren’t just growing—we were scaling in a way that was sustainable. We knew we needed the right internal Integrator, and we found Alex Hayes, our puzzle piece!
4. Never Lose Sight of Core Values
Scaling fast can tempt you to take shortcuts or make decisions that don’t align with your culture. Don’t do it. Our commitment to core values helped us hire, make tough calls, and stay grounded while growing at warp speed.
5. Find People Who Believe in Your Vision
The right strategic partners, clients, and team members can accelerate your growth. We worked with those who aligned with our mission and avoided those who didn’t. Turns out, success comes faster when you’re surrounded by the right people.
Bonus Tip: Have a Sense of Humor
Whether it’s being mistaken for an “Inked” award or laughing at our own learning curves, keeping things light helps us stay sane. Growth is hard, but it should also be fun.
So, if you’re aiming for the Inc. 5000 List, take it from us—get your business fundamentals right, execute like crazy, and embrace the ride. And if you accidentally get mistaken for an award-winning tattoo trophy along the way? Just roll with it.