I Stepped Down As The CEO Of Our $300K/Year Outreach Firm [Update]
This is a follow up story for BizzBee Solutions. If you're interested in reading how they got started, published over 3 years ago, check it out here.
Hello again! Remind us who you are and what business you started.
Hi, I’m Dancho Dimkov, the driving force and mastermind behind BizzBee Solutions.
This is my follow-up interview for Starter Story, and I’m so excited to share how BizzBee Solutions has evolved in the last two years. As a reminder, here’s my first interview with Starter Story.
In 2015, I founded BizzBee Solutions with a vision and a small loan, assembling a remarkable team of diligent researchers, tenacious builders, creative writers, and dedicated outreach experts.
At BizzBee, our talented employees, fondly referred to as “the bees,” undergo extensive training to deliver warm leads to entrepreneurs and companies. We help consultants, agencies, software providers, and other high-ticket service providers grow exponentially and reach new heights and peaks.
Our unwavering commitment and passion drive us to provide tailored services that address the challenges businesses face. We firmly believe that with a dream and a goal, nothing can hinder your journey to achieving what you desire.
In the past year, we have undergone significant changes. I have made the decision to retire, passing the torch to Natasha, our former COO, who now assumes the role of CEO at BizzBee Solutions.
Tell us about what you’ve been up to. Has the business been growing?
BizzBee Solutions has experienced remarkable growth over the past two years, with over 500 clients worldwide, a dynamic team of 30+ full-time employees, and an average monthly revenue of $26k. We couldn’t be prouder of our achievements!
In 2022, we launched our highly-anticipated 6-week online academy - “Prospecting Hive: The B2B Outreach Academy & Community.”
The ‘Prospecting Hive: The B2B Outreach Academy & Community’ is composed of 6 super-insightful courses: B2B Ideal Client Profiling, B2B Database Creation, B2B Copy Crafting, B2B Outreach Execution, B2B Nurture and Response Handling and B2B Outreach Campaign Execution.
Each course is composed of subtopics, elaborating and explaining the topic in detail. Offering free resources and templates that we use and are highly successful and performing. Additionally, it provides FAQs and course quizzes.
Our academy stands out from the big, saturated crowd. Because it’s not just an academy. It’s also a community: an exclusive B2B prospecting and outreach community for networking, sharing ideas, experiences, and advice. And on top of that offers coaching sessions, to solidify your B2B outreach understanding, and ensure your outreach campaign’s success.
It’s my brainchild, which I am particularly proud of. It is a testament to a decade-long work, knowledge, and effort. Real wisdom behind real-clients success stories.
Later that year we organized and hosted our first “Prospecting & Outreach Summit” of which me and my marketing team take special pride.
We managed to get 12 speakers from all around the world in one place to share their sales and outreach wisdom. Yes, it’s a hefty number. But with timely planning, a good strategy, regular and effective communication, and a diverse team working tirelessly, where everyone knows their duties and does their best - everything is possible!
Of course, we also used social media, for which we prepared a unique approach. We also formulated a special-tailored strategy for the email campaign that brought great results. However, the attractiveness of the summit’s topic also contributed to many speakers being interested.
We even had to reject great speakers because so many wanted to participate. Followed by a vast audience, our first summit was a huge success, and as I write this, we are already planning the next one for this year.
Everything about our upcoming 2023 summit will be announced here Of course, stay tuned and follow us on our social media profiles, as well.
It was the first-ever event of this kind organized in Macedonia and we intend to make it a tradition.
We also celebrated some major milestones at BizzBee Solutions. “Sweet Buzz - Scaling a Digital B2B Business,” my podcast, recently marked its second birthday with over 6k plays and remarkable 200 episodes. Woah, I can’t believe it myself, I’ve recorded so much! But, you know me, I love to speak.
Then, I published another book. It was a collaborative project of 8 authors on the evergreen subject ‘of leadership’. It became an instant best-seller. Oh, it’s called “8 Qualities For Great Leadership,”.
As we speak, I’m putting the finishing touches on my third book, so stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way!
What have been your biggest challenges in the last year?
In the first months of 2023, I made a life-changing decision of stepping down as BizzBee’s CEO. I remain the co-founder and I’m still involved in BizzBee’s work, but on a more strategic level rather than operational.
I decided to pass this role down to Natasha Razmoska, our former COO, who has been a loyal employee and an outreach mastermind since our very beginnings. So far, she’s doing amazing.
Since stepping back, I’ve witnessed the team operating like a well-oiled machine, seamlessly coordinating their efforts and embracing their independence. This transition has breathed new life into BizzBee, propelling us toward a future brimming with success.
Change is invigorating, and at BizzBee, we’re embracing it with open arms. The best is yet to come!
Invest in self-development, be persistent, and consistently seek new ways to innovate. Growing a business is a journey, and it requires patience and dedication.
What have been your biggest lessons learned in the last year?
We all know that in the last couple of months, artificial intelligence has become a ubiquitous force in the business landscape. Many companies embraced AI, entrusting these powerful tools to handle various tasks.
We can’t replace humans, we can’t replace human emotions. For example, you can make AI write you a blog on a topic you choose, but you need to proofread it afterward, right? I was skeptical at first, but I believe that AI tools can be of great help if you use them wisely.
Another thing that I’m super excited about is that I started writing my third book, a project that spanned 12 months and went through various stages. It’s been a real teaching journey due to which I am richer in patience and discipline. I’ve learned that not everything goes as planned, but that’s the fun part of life, ain’t it? Sometimes we all have to let go of control and trust the process.
Phew, and last and not least I went on a two-month-long family vacation. I spent a month in Greece with my family and we extended our trip for an extra month in Bulgaria.
My older son, Metodija will start school in September this year, so I got emotional thinking that this might be the last summer we get to spend together as a family before he decides that he’s too cool to go on vacation with his old folks. :)
What’s in the plans for the upcoming year, and the next 5 years?
BizzBee is committed to continuous growth. We always aim big.
One of our key objectives is to develop new and innovative solutions that stay up to beat with the evolving trends and needs of our target audience.
We’re exploring opportunities to broaden our audience and expand into new regions, establishing BizzBee as a go-to resource for businesses worldwide. Our vision is to be at the forefront of innovation in the B2B outreach industry, providing cutting-edge solutions and helping businesses achieve unparalleled growth.
As Nelson Mandela once said ‘ I have a dream,’ we too, have a dream of BizzBee becoming a global leader in outreach and prospecting. We aim to empower businesses of all sizes to thrive, providing them with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to succeed in an ever-changing business landscape.
What’s the best thing you read in the last year?
It’s not something I came across recently, but it’s something that stayed with me. “Getting Things Done” by David Allen is a timeless gem that has left an indelible mark on me, even after 15 years since I first held it in my hands.
I cannot emphasize enough the value of this book in revolutionizing task management. Trust me, it's a true game-changer that deserves everyone’s attention. After all this time, the impact of this book still resonates deeply within me, which is remarkable.
You may question whether it truly made a difference, and I can confidently say, without a doubt, that it did.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who might be struggling to grow their business?
I’m always happy to help a fellow entrepreneur in need. Do you know why? Because I was once that entrepreneur.
When facing challenges in growing their business, I want you to remember to look, think and act outside the box. Cater a growth mindset, be eager to learn and adapt. Surround yourself with experienced mentors, and industry experts who can provide valuable insights and guidance. And most importantly, face your fears.
Don’t let fear overcome you. The biggest enemy is your anxiety and self-doubt. Invest in self-development, be persistent, and consistently seek new ways to innovate. Growing a business is a journey, and it requires patience and dedication.
Where can we go to learn more?
You can find me on:
Or you can connect with BizzBee:
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- YouTube
- TikTok
- Website
- Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
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