August 23, 2021 • Company Feed Highlights, Team

Taking Care of Business: The Holli Roberts Story

Armed with ambition and primed with expertise, Holli Roberts joined ScaleCo in 2021 as a Marketing Associate. A Cleveland native, Holli rose from humble roots as a babysitter and a shop clerk to the exclusive world of private equity. Although a non-traditional journey, it exemplifies what’s possible through perseverance and hard work; a story we can all gain insight from. As she focuses her sights on her own entrepreneurial endeavors, she is playing a pivotal role in marketing, deal flow, and reinforcing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) at ScaleCo.

Holli did not always see herself in private equity. Fascinated by the field of supply chain management, Roberts had ambitions of working for Amazon. She pursued a bachelor’s degree in the field from John Carroll University. She credits the work of Alexander Osterwalder as part of her entrepreneurial toolkit throughout her studies. While attending John Carroll, she worked with her father, an Expert EOS Implementer, as a Director of Marketing for his practice. There she gained critical experience and knowledge surrounding EOS. In addition to marketing, she oversaw much of the client communications and practice management for the firm. Through building and directing the social media accounts for the company, her interest in marketing grew.

The Right Fit

A major turning point came in the summer of 2020 as Holli transitioned from undergraduate studies into her professional career. Holli found herself veering away from supply chain management and moving towards marketing and entrepreneurship, which she now believes are her two greatest professional passions. She decided to return to John Carroll University for a Master’s Degree Program in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the fall of 2020 to expand her knowledge and skillset. The most influential person in her decision to pursue her degree was her dad. “He inspired me to have goals and aspirations in entrepreneurship for myself.” With a passion for empowering entrepreneurs, ScaleCo has given her an opportunity to implement her work experience and education in tangible ways.

As Holli searched for marketing internships in the spring of 2021, she discovered ScaleCo. Her diligence and enthusiastic approach embody the ideals of an effective team player. When asked whether she feels ScaleCo is the right fit for her, she affirmed: “…I feel that my core values align with everyone at ScaleCo. Our core values are humble, hungry, smart, and I really felt that I could fit into the piece of the puzzle that is ScaleCo.” Now a fully initiated member of the team, Holli’s insight and technical prowess play vital roles at ScaleCo.

An Optimistic Future

Holli will be staying with ScaleCo as an Associate upon graduating with her Master’s of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in August 2021. In the future, she intends on pursuing entrepreneurship. Her advice for young entrepreneurs is to use your resources wisely. “Picking up a book  or watching a YouTube video about entrepreneurship is a really easy  tool. There are a lot of unconventional ways to learn that could bring a lot of value to entrepreneurship. I recommend Traction by Gino Wickman. It’s a guide for implementing EOS in your business.”

Like many of us, the global shutdown allotted time for Holli to take up new interests. Roberts explored a vegan diet, and cooking plant-based recipes and notes an improved quality of life. Although she is not entirely herbivorous, she credits the challenge for her improved health and cooking skills.

Full of ambition and an eagerness to help, Holli brings an invaluable perspective and sense of order to ScaleCo. She rarely shies away from a challenge and is a genuine team player. With clear and deliberate communication, Holli Roberts has the capacity to take on the world.