Luke Guthrie

Who are you and what do you do?‍

I'm Luke, the founder of Liacal, a boutique Salesforce consulting agency. We focus on providing Salesforce Admin, Dev, Architecture, Project support. My journey began as a Salesforce admin for a local municipality, where I quickly realized the potential of tailored solutions in transforming business processes.

After overseeing a large implementation, I decided I needed a new challenge outside of the government space. Over the years, I've built Liacal to help organizations maximize their Salesforce investment by providing personalized, expert guidance. Our approach is rooted in understanding each client's unique needs and delivering strategies that drive efficiency and growth. Beyond my professional work, I enjoy sharing insights through speaking engagements and community involvement.‍

What did it take/how did you get started?‍

I started out as a freelancer while I was still working my full-time job. At first, it was really just something I was playing with and it provided some new challenges, which I really enjoyed. After about 9 months, I had enough clients to make a decision. Hold steady or take a leap. I decided to take the leap.

It's been 2 1/2 years since that point and I'm still learning and growing in many ways, so I don't know that I'd say "I've made it." However, I feel like I'm in a good spot and enjoying what I do, so that's something.‍

What does the future look like for you and your business?‍

The future of Liacal is centered on growth and innovation. We're focused on expanding our team to offer even more specialized Salesforce solutions. As the platform evolves, so do our services, and we aim to stay at the forefront of Salesforce advancements, including AI-driven tools and industry-specific solutions.

My vision is to continue building strong, long-term partnerships with clients, helping them navigate the ever-changing landscape of success on Salesforce. Personally, I look forward to more opportunities to share my knowledge through speaking and mentoring.‍

What drives / motivates you on a daily basis?‍

I'm driven by a passion for people. My early career in government, particularly in recreation departments, was all about enhancing lives through community-focused initiatives. Today, I bring that same dedication to my work in business, crafting people-centered solutions that are not only efficient and streamlined but also enjoyable to use. It’s the impact on people—whether it’s a client or a team—that motivates me to keep innovating and delivering solutions that truly make a difference.‍

What advice would you give someone interested in doing what you do?‍

My advice is to focus on understanding the unique needs of the people and businesses you work with. Success in this field comes from being a good listener and a creative problem-solver. Don’t rush the process—take the time to learn the technology inside and out, and always prioritize solutions that make life easier for your clients. Also, build strong relationships; your network will be invaluable as you get started and grow. Lastly, stay curious and keep learning, because the landscape is always evolving.‍

What has been the hardest part of your business journey?‍

The hardest part has been learning to live with the uncertainty of running a small business. I still feel like a newbie in the entrepreneur world so I spend a lot of time trying to learn from others. I have a great partner network, which took time and a bit of luck to build up and I've learned to lean on it heavily.‍

How have you managed burnout thus far?‍

Managing burnout has become much more manageable for me due to the flexibility and control I have over my schedule. I now work fewer hours compared to before, and I can scale up resources as needed when the workload increases. At Liacal, we avoid the "do more with less" mentality. Instead, we focus on learning how to best utilize the newest features of Salesforce, work efficiently, and support each other without stripping away resources or overloading our days.

The fact that we operate 100% remotely and offer work-from-anywhere options contributes significantly to managing burnout. Team members have the freedom to choose their work environment and set their own schedules, including the number of hours they wish to work and the projects they want to be involved in. This level of flexibility has proven to enhance overall happiness and satisfaction. I’m proud that both my team and I can enjoy the benefits of such a supportive and adaptable work environment.‍

What are a few resources that you'd recommend?‍

When I was getting started as a Salesforce Admin, I spent a lot of time on Trailhead (Salesforce's training system). It's totally free and teaches you everything you need to know about administering and managing and Salesforce org. I also scoured the Trailblazer Community for posts and information about the best ways to implement Salesforce and joined local user groups.

I also attended Salesforce events and conferences, though this can get pricing if you're paying out of pocket. Many are streamed online for free these days, so I recommend checking those out. All of these helped me get my start. As I look to grow, I spend time networking and interacting with others who have gone farther than I have. If you don't have a mentor, I'd suggest reaching out to the community and finding one. They'll be one of your most valuable tools as you grow.‍

The STATS

List the founders

Luke Guthrie‍

How many hours a week do you work on this hustle?‍

30-40

# of Employees?

10

When did you start?

2021

How much did it cost to launch?

I may have spent a few hundred dollars getting my LLC created. That's pretty much it!

What were your funding methods and ballpark amount raised?

This doesn't really apply.

Annual revenue?

$3-400,000

Projected revenue?

$4-500,000

What's the #1 thing you need right now?‍

I'm on the hunt for more small-to-medium-sized clients. We're well staffed for some additional projects to come in and ready to continue to grow into our 3rd year!