Meet Anna-Vija McClain | Small Business Marketing and Scalability

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna-Vija McClain and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna-Vija, what do you attribute your success to?
I’m going to say understanding people, and communication. If you wanna go fast go alone, if you wanna go far, go together. Its one of my favorite quotes because no matter how awesome I am, success comes from collaboration and partnership. There is a synergetic energy to work relationships in my business: my strengths and your strengths come from us. An intentional focus on understanding the psychology of people and the methodologies of communication. You have to know what people are good at, what motivates them, what they’re not good at, and you also have to know how to communicate that to them in a way they can understand. Because if you can do that, and rally a group of people, or multiple groups of people behind a common cause, that’s how you’re successful.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I got to where I am professionally through a confluence of diligent work, educated risk-taking, and collaboration to create Piccolo Solutions. This process was definitely not just an easy road. Throughout the first decade of my career, I suffered through mental health struggles that arose from burnout and stress. While between jobs, I worked as a freelancer, handling marketing for people in my network, until those jobs became retainers, more clients became interested, and I had a full-fledged business on my hands. Since starting my company, I have structured Piccolo Solutions so that our core vision is happiness–no one, including me, should ever go through the stress or clinical depression that can arise when you are stretched far too thin and overworked. My vision for my team’s growth is to focus on their leadership development, community impact, and our clients.

As my team has grown since Piccolo first launched, I shifted my focus to teaching. I worked with my growing team to create robust training programs for every department in the business and led them to make informed decisions as if they own the company. I pride myself on my ability to connect with people, see their strengths and weaknesses, and help them become a more confident and capable person and worker. At Piccolo, we also contribute time and resources to helping charities and organizations in the community. I believe that Piccolo’s true care and connection with our community sets us apart and makes us an example of how to do business.

Now, my role continues to be about continuing education for both myself and my team. I keep everyone focused on our core company principles, such as happiness and learning, through daily coaching, examples of good leadership, and investing in them with time, money, and resources. We are all continuously growing and innovating, both in our work and in our lives.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Depending on what’s happening in town, we’ve got to walk downtown Broadway and hopefully catch a show at the Ryman. We’d hit Prince’s Hot Chicken and Lockeland Table, and catch a game, either Titans, NSC, or the Sounds (Nashville sports fans have amazing energy!). We’d spend Sunday at Pins Mechanical and snag food after at Chauhan.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Hannah Paramore, former CEO of Paramore Digital for being a constant inspiration, support, and accountability buddy.

Website: http://www.piccolosolutions.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annavija/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annavijamcclain/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annavija/