Grit and Growth

Praise for Grit and Growth “Grit and Growth is an inspiring and practical guide that combines entrepreneurial wisdom with deeply human storytelling. Drawing on Anne Haines’s 30-year journey of founding and leading DreamSpring, the book offers compelling lessons on purpose, resilience, and community. It’s 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 “Grit and Growth operates on multiple levels. It is a history of a three-decade entrepreneurial journey launching and stewarding a remarkable CDFI supporting the aspirations of thousands of small businesspeople. It offers practical wisdom, but is also a love letter to future entrepreneurs, and a celebration of the human spirit and the will to strive, to risk, and to dream.” —Thomas A. Gougeon, President, Gates Family Foundation “Grit and Growth is destined to quickly become the go-to bible for present and/or future entrepreneurs. The hard-won lessons and stories included have been collected over three decades by the amazingly talented and experienced authors and offer priceless advice and counsel to anyone in the business world.” —Ann Rhoades, President, Peopleink, and Founding Executive Vice President of People, JetBlue Airways “Entrepreneurs are dreamers. They are also enigmas. Despite their importance to the national economy and local communities, they are poorly understood. Grit and Growth is 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 “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 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 captivating journey into what entrepreneurship really looks like, packed with invaluable 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. Authors Anne Haines, Amber Kani, and Laura Marrich share practical tools alongside real-life stories, drawing on DreamSpring’s 30-year evolution from a tiny startup to a national leader in small business development. Through real-world lessons, authentic testimonials, reflective exercises, and practical frameworks, this guide lays out the skills and resources that every entrepreneur needs to master, like clarifying your purpose, developing values-driven leadership, amplifying your strengths, and cultivating communities of support. The authors’ on-the-ground guidance prepares you to meet obstacles head-on and leverage your unique capabilities. In the book, you will: Learn to define and refine your business’s core values and mission for clearer direction and impact. Gain insights from real small business owners who have turned their struggles and challenges into steppingstones for success. Develop a robust understanding of leadership and self-assessment to enhance your entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a small business owner, or a nonprofit leader, Grit and Growth is a clear-eyed companion for navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Get your copy now and start forging your path with grit, growth, and purpose.