Jay Sapovits on Scaling Ink Stores: From $300K to Mid-7 Figures by Turning COVID Adversity into Growth, Building On-Demand Swag Shops & Leading a Team of 30 with Consistency, Creativity & Resilience. (Episode 731 - Jay Sapovits)

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Jay Sapovits, founder of Ink Stores, who shares how he transformed his business from a retail storefront into a thriving on-demand swag company during COVID. Starting with $300K in the first year and growing to mid-seven figures, Jay reveals the pivotal mindset shifts, the importance of resilience, and how consistency fueled growth. He also discusses scaling a team of nearly 30, building a strong culture, and why creativity and adaptability remain essential in the $27B U.S. merchandise industry.

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Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.

And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:

1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?
   
   According to Jay Sapovits, the hardest thing in growing a small business is consistency. He explained that no matter how tough things get—whether you’re “kicked in the teeth on Tuesday”—you have to show up again on Wednesday and keep going. Consistency, even through setbacks, is what makes growth possible.
   
   

2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?
   
   Jay Sapovits said his favorite business book is “How to Become a Rainmaker” by Jeffrey Fox. He called it “unequivocally, the best business book ever written” because it breaks down sales into simple, powerful concepts in short, easy-to-digest chapters that serve as a lifelong reference.
   
   

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?
   
   While Jay Sapovits didn’t name specific favorites, several great resources align with his focus on resilience, consistency, and growth. Podcasts like The How of Business, Masters of Scale, The $100 MBA Show, and The Disruptive Entrepreneur offer practical strategies and inspiring stories from entrepreneurs. Online learning platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning provide valuable training in sales, leadership, and team building—skills Jay emphasizes as essential. He also highlights the importance of community, so joining mastermind groups or business forums can help small business owners share challenges, learn from peers, and stay consistent in their growth journey.
   
   

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?
   
   One tool Jay Sapovits says he “can’t live without” is simple: email. Being super responsive, replying fast, keeping communication tight — that core tool / habit has been critical in how he grows trust, closes sales, and stays connected with clients.
   
   
   

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?
   
   If Jay Sapovits could give himself advice on day one of starting his business, he would say: “Take it easy on yourself.” He explained that his high expectations often created unnecessary stress, and he later learned to manage them better. He also emphasized that “comparison is the thief of joy,” urging entrepreneurs to stay focused on their own journey, support their peers, and not get distracted by competitors or external factors they can’t control.

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Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

Consistency is the only thing that matters—you have to show up every day, no matter what – Jay Sapovits

Success is found in the daily grind, not in a single moment of arrival – Jay Sapovits

Comparison is the thief of joy; keep your head down and focus on your own business – Jay Sapovits

 

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