Small businesses often face challenges such as tighter margins and fewer resources compared to larger companies. Despite these obstacles, Lisa Larson-Kelley, founder of the B2B marketing agency Quantious, emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships within her team. "Relationships are everything," she states. "It's how I built this business from the ground up."
Quantious began as a one-woman consultancy and has grown into a fully remote agency with 26 employees worldwide. The company prioritizes team connectivity through Camp Quantious, an annual in-person retreat focused on bonding and creativity. These retreats have taken the team to various locations, including Asheville, NC, and Puerto Rico. Larson-Kelley notes that these trips are designed with intention: "We don't sit in a boardroom all day," she explains. "We kayak, we hike, we spend time together."
To manage travel expenses effectively, Quantious uses the Capital One Venture X Business card. This allows them to maximize value and maintain affordable retreats as they grow. The card provides flexibility for managing large travel costs without budget constraints.
Larson-Kelley highlights the significance of financial planning as part of team investment strategy. By charging recurring expenses like subscriptions and software licenses to their Venture X Business card, Quantious funds major trip costs almost entirely with miles.
In its early days, Quantious relied on bootstrapping due to limited access to outside funding. Larson-Kelley learned valuable lessons about cash flow management during this period. She recalls handling a large expense over $50,000 before receiving client payment by using Capital One's confirm purchasing power tool for peace of mind.
She advises small business owners: “A lot of small business owners, we're just scraping by and may not stop to think clearly about cash flow cycles,” adding that strategic credit use can help manage expenses effectively.
Quantious plans to enhance its investment in in-person interactions at its new headquarters in New York while continuing to leverage rewards.
Learn more about Capital One’s suite of small business products and services here.
Capital One offers a range of financial products for consumers and businesses alike. Their services include credit cards with unlimited rewards tailored specifically for small businesses. They aim to support American entrepreneurship by ensuring their offerings meet the needs of millions they serve daily.