small business branding Archives - Spectruss Marketing and Advertising

What happens when a small diner idea survives a plane crash, passes through three generations, and still sticks to the same principles it started with? You get Chick-fil-A, and a whole lot more than just chicken.

In this episode of Spectruss Speakeasy, I sat down with Seth Cathy, grandson of Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy. And no, this wasn’t your standard business interview. This was about purpose, grit, and what really matters when you’re building something that lasts.

From Soda Bottles to a National Brand

Truett Cathy didn’t grow up with much. He started out during the Great Depression selling glass Coca-Cola bottles at age 8 and, as Seth joked, “the only toy he had was his brother’s loose tooth.” That same scrappy energy is what turned a simple diner into a fast-food empire with more than 3,300 locations.

And it almost didn’t happen. A tragic plane crash nearly cut everything short, but Truett pulled through. What stuck with Seth was not just the resilience, but the reason his grandfather got up every day, to care for people and run a business with purpose.

Exploring how Chick-fil-A’s story relates to local entrepreneurs and business growth

More Than a Logo

Seth didn’t just inherit a last name, he inherited a mindset. And while his path didn’t lead him straight into the Chick-fil-A boardroom, the values stayed with him. He studied history, ran a pottery studio on Main Street in Chattanooga, and ended up building community through motorcycles.

You read that right. Vintage Hondas. 120 acres on Lookout Mountain. Off-road rides that turned into meetups with meaning. Seth has a thing for bringing people together, and it’s not just about the bikes.

What Small Businesses Can Learn

Here’s where this hits home for every small or mid-sized business: You don’t need a billion-dollar brand to build trust or make an impact. You just need to know why you started and stick to it.

Too many business owners jump straight into ads, websites, or social media without a clear message. That’s like riding without knowing where the trail goes.

You need structure. You need a brand that speaks clearly. That’s exactly what we do at Spectruss. We help you figure out your story, build tools that support it (like custom websites, branding, and automated systems), and then get that story in front of the right people.

Why This Episode Matters

This conversation with Seth wasn’t about being famous or successful. It was about keeping your feet on the ground, even when your business grows fast. It was about knowing that no matter how many people you serve, it still comes back to purpose, discipline, and relationships.

Your business has a story. Maybe you haven’t told it yet. Maybe it’s been buried under to-do lists and customer support calls. But it’s there, and it’s the one thing your competitors can’t copy.

We’re here to help you bring it forward.

New Spectruss Speakeasy episodes reveal powerful branding insights from the Chick-fil-A story

FAQ: Questions Small Business Owners Ask

How do I figure out what my brand values actually are?

Start by thinking about why you opened your business. What do you want customers to remember about you? That’s where your values live.

Can I grow without losing what makes my business special?

Yes, if you stay consistent. Write down your story, your message, and what you won’t compromise on. Then build from there.

What slows down most small businesses when they try to grow?

Not being clear. If your message changes every month or your site doesn’t match your customer experience, it all feels confusing. People don’t buy when they’re unsure.

I’m not great at writing or storytelling. Does that matter?

Not at all. You don’t need to be a writer. You just need to be honest about what you do and why. We help shape that into branding and marketing that makes sense.

In that case, our team can help you develop your story. You got the experience an we got the rest. Contact us to discuss it further.

How can Spectruss help me?

We help businesses like yours build smart websites, create strong messaging, run ads that actually work, and set up systems that keep things running even when you’re busy.

If you are an small business owner and you are looking for a partner to achieve your marketing goals, check our service page here.

Most businesses don’t last. You know it, I know it. The stats aren’t great, and yet, some manage to not just hang on, but keep growing.

The Barn Nursery in Chattanooga is one of those stories. What started in the late ‘60s as a $1,500 roadside fruit stand is now an eight-figure business moving over a million plants a year. Yep, million with an “M.”

So how’d they pull it off? And more importantly, what can you take from their playbook and apply to your own business?

Flower Carpet ‘Pink Supreme’ Roses on Buy One Get One Free offer at The Barn Nursery.

From Selling Produce to Building a Brand

The Barn didn’t just pop up overnight. Cole Webster, who runs it now, comes from a family that built this thing brick by brick. His grandparents got it started, his parents took it further, and now Cole’s leading it into something even bigger.

What stands out isn’t just the scale, it’s the heart. This is a business that kept showing up for the community, year after year. That’s something I think we all want to build.

You don’t have to sell ferns to learn something here. These three things apply no matter what business you’re in:

1. Have a clear story

The Barn didn’t try to be something it wasn’t. It’s always been family-run, service-first, and plant-loving. People know exactly what to expect.

Pro tip: If your brand is all over the place, different fonts, different messages, different vibes, that’s where to start. We help clients clean that up all the time.

2. Keep showing up

Back in the day, The Barn ran radio ads. Now it’s all over social media. Different tools, same mindset: stay in front of people.

Our advice: Ads aren’t optional if you want to grow. And when you run them the right way, they pay for themselves.

3. Talk like a human

Automated systems might be efficient, but they’re also annoying. One thing The Barn does well, and we try to do too, is keep things personal. Real conversations, fast help.

Here’s what we hear all the time from small and mid-sized businesses:

“Our website’s outdated.”
“We’ve run ads but didn’t get results.”
“We’re not tracking where leads come from.”
“Our brand looks different everywhere.”

Any of those sound like your business? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to fix it by yourself.

What We Do at Spectruss

I built Spectruss to help businesses like yours. We’re not here for one-time jobs. We’re your crew for the long haul.

Here’s how we help:

Custom websites that don’t just look good, they perform
SEO that helps people actually find you
Ad campaigns on Google, Facebook, and Instagram
CRM systems that organize your leads and automate follow-ups
Branding and messaging that connects with your audience
Photos and video that tell your story

Spectruss provides digital marketing and location-based growth strategies for businesses like The Barn Nursery.

We’re based in Chattanooga, but we’ve helped brands across the U.S. get real results. And we’re not about fluff. We care about leads, conversions, and building something that lasts.

Let’s talk, get a free call or get to know more about our services.

What I admire most about The Barn Nursery is how they’ve held on to what matters: good people, good service, and showing up when it counts. That’s what we try to do at Spectruss too.

You don’t need to be the biggest business in town, you just need to show up smart and stay consistent.

Here are my thoughts

If a roadside stand in Rossville can grow into one of the most recognized businesses in Chattanooga, so can you. You’ve got a story. Let’s make sure people see it.

Want help making that happen?

Book a free consultation or call us and we’ll figure out what your next step looks like, no pressure.

FAQ: For Local Businesses Ready to Grow

How do I know if working with Spectruss is the right move?

If you’re ready to grow but not sure what to do next, that’s where we come in. If your brand is scattered or your ads aren’t working, you’ll benefit from having a team on your side.

Do I need to spend a lot to get started?

No. We work with businesses at all levels. We’ll help you figure out what matters most and start there. No fluff, no upsells.

What makes Spectruss different?

We act like a partner, not a vendor. Our team works in-house and we’re all local. We treat your business like it’s ours, with care, clarity, and accountability.

I’ve never done ads before. Can you help?

Absolutely. We’ll explain how it works, set them up, track results, and adjust as needed. You’ll always know what you’re paying for, and what it’s bringing in.

Can you help me rebrand or refresh my business?

Yes, whether you need a new logo, better messaging, or a full revamp, we’ll make sure it still feels like you, just sharper and more focused.