Big corporations have deep pockets, big teams, and name recognition on their side. Small businesses don't always have those luxuries.
But here’s the bright side: Competing with the “big guys” doesn’t require a massive budget — just the right tools. With automation and CRM software, small businesses can level the playing field and grow with confidence.
In this blog, you’ll read about three real Keap users who’ve done just that. Their stories show how small business owners are scaling smarter, hitting their goals, and reclaiming valuable time with the help of their software.
Travel Divas
“Keap got me out of a government job that didn’t pay well, and now I get to help people see the world. My entire business runs on Keap ... It sounds cliché, but I really do make money in my sleep.” — Shanterria Earley
Shanterria Earley never set out to be a travel agent, but what started as helping friends and colleagues book trips quickly grew into a business called Travel Divas. She's built it into a thriving travel agency that helps people take the trips they’ve always dreamed of, and the results have been life changing.
Shanterria left her government job, built a team, and reached over $17 million in annual revenue.
Her secret? The Keap CRM and marketing automation software.
Instead of juggling endless spreadsheets and manually tracking every traveler’s details, Shanterria keeps everything streamlined in her CRM — from client records to trip itineraries.
Automation handles her follow-up, payments, reminders, and more, giving her the same kind of systems and efficiency that large agencies rely on. That’s how she turned a one-woman operation into a thriving business that surpassed her wildest dreams.
Avalon Pharmacy
“Because Keap takes care of all the mundane stuff, I'm able to really focus and engage with the patients. I am enjoying and loving what I do, and it’s because I’m having an impact on patients.” — Amit Kakar
Just a few years ago, Amit Kakar found his independent pharmacy struggling to keep up as big-name chains popped up nearby. Amit knew he needed a way to set himself apart, and that’s when he turned to the Keap CRM and marketing automation software.
By leveraging automation across his entire business, Amit was able to:
- Capture foot traffic efficiently: Using his CRM, he quickly captured and organized details from walk-ins that came from a nearby urgent care facility.
- Nurture customer relationships: Amit automated email campaigns, including outreach to walk-ins, personalized messages for different health conditions, and simple gestures like automated birthday greetings.
- Boost online credibility: With automated review requests, Avalon Pharmacy grew from 15–20 Google reviews to nearly 500, helping the business establish its reputation even amidst big competitors.
The results speak for themselves. After implementing these strategies, revenue went up 20%, and the pharmacy had its biggest year-over-year growth in eight years. Plus, Amit went from 5,000 contacts in his database to over 8,000.
And because of his automation and CRM software, he's able to nurture all those contacts in a personal way that sets him apart from larger chains.
“The biggest differentiator is our ability to engage with our patients, and that can only be done via Keap,” Amit says.
SimpleGrowth
“With the processes that were automated in Keap — the follow-up, the sales pipeline, the referral commission tracking and systems — we've seen consistent growth between 35 and 40% year after year.” — Mike Callahan
Mike Callahan used to run his lawn care business entirely manually — sales, estimates, follow-ups, and beyond.
But operating this way left him known as “the center of chaos” in his business, working 70–100 hours a week just to keep up. He needed a way to scale without burning out, so he turned to Keap’s CRM and marketing automation software.
By automating the tasks that used to consume his days, Mike went from working nonstop to becoming an absentee owner — all while growing over 30% year after year.
Best of all, he’s built systems that keep every interaction personal, even when automated. “We've created a way to make follow-up automated but make it actually feel personal based on where that customer is in the customer lifecycle,” Mike says.
Now, Mike’s business runs smoothly on autopilot — giving him freedom, growth, and the kind of efficiency that lets small businesses compete like the big guys.
Learn more about Mike’s results
Ready for Your Own Success Story?
These stories aren’t just meant to make you feel good (although who doesn’t love to see an entrepreneur win?) — they’re also meant to show you what’s possible for your business.
If you’re ready to scale consistently, save time, and compete with larger companies without the extra stress, give Keap a try. Watch a free 5-minute demo of the automation and CRM system today!
