Hidden Gems: Meet Angelo Cottingham of Pure Gold Business Solutions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angelo Cottingham.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Westlake, Ohio as the oldest of seven kids. Business wasn’t something I really had to go around looking for. My mom is an entrepreneur in her own right and I grew up around people with a “build” mindset. As a kid, I was always really fascinated by business related TV shows like Shark Tank, Property Brothers, and Unwrapped. My mom always told me to create multiple income streams and it became more of a survival skill than advice in the world we live in. It would become the way I saw everything in regards to business.

At 24, I lost suddenly my friend Demetrius. He was only 6 months older than me, like he used to drive me to school, and he was so free and lived his life to the fullest. When he passed, I wanted to stop waiting around to live my life. I didn’t want to let my own survival get in the way of me doing the things I dreamed of. Not waiting until I was older and may not have the health to do such extraordinary things. I figured the only way I could begin that path now is to take control of my life. I wanted to be a business owner, so I registered my first business with the state and bam. One of my dreams came true with only $99 and an idea.

My first move was streetwear brand called Merch Monarch. My first product launch made $150 net and so happy because it proved that someone will buy if you put it in front of the right people. Today, I run Pure Gold Business Solutions in my evening hours to help others learn the patterns of successful business owners.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been far from a smooth ride. I’ve faced everything from lack of funding to delays; failures to imposter syndrome. Entrepreneurship is a war of attrition. It really boils down to who can survive the longest.

I’ve faced having negative bank accounts, bad clients, people not show up when I really needed them to, had friends and family question the logic in me investing so much into this path I’m on. Trying to find work life balance in the beginning. These are struggles a lot of entrepreneurs can relate to and that’s who I want to help. It’s rough trying to do everything on your own but you never have to. Outside the box thinking can be the difference maker in your business thriving.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pure Gold Business Solutions?
Pure Gold Business Solutions is a startup business growth consulting firm based in Cleveland, Ohio. I built it with the mission of being the business partner I wish I had when I started my entrepreneurial journey 5 years ago. I truly believe that real success in business and in life comes from thoughtful action, consistency, and structure. Instead of just relying on luck or or hustle, we use a proprietary framework that is built on the patterns of other successful business owners. This framework we call the Pure Gold Growth System. Four pillars and 8 core systems that give small to mid-size businesses the power to grow their business without burnout.

What I specialize in is the gap most business owners fall into after the early momentum fades. They’re three to seven years in, generating revenue, but everything still somehow runs through them. They can’t step away because everything will stop or fall apart. I fix that by implementing the foundation that allows your business to scale without you as the founder sacrificing any more of the time and energy you’re using to keep the business afloat.

What I’m most grateful for with Pure Gold is when I can help business owners fall in love with their business again. They can take care of their clients at a high level consistently and we help implement systems that facilitate repeat business and upselling. Our portfolio is small as we’ve been in operating for only 18 months but this business has made me more money than all of my previous business combined, and that came from using my own system.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Build a team. Get good people around you that you can trust. People that are smarter than you. People who are better at other things than you. People that are going to hold you accountable just like you hold them accountable. No matter how hard you try, you can never truly do it ALL by yourself.

Learn to be a collaborator instead of being in competition. Your unwillingness to work with others is your downfall as an entrepreneur. There are people out there that would love to help you and see you grow. If it’s not your friends and family, it very well could be a total stranger that believes in you enough to take a chance. Your biggest supporters are often times people you don’t even know who they are. Have faith in the process and trust that as long as you stay dedicated and love the journey and not the destination, that’s when you will truly see results.

Pricing:

• $1,ooo for my business club
• $10,000 for my partnership program

Contact Info:

• Website: https://puregoldbusiness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puregoldbusiness/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571326084385
• Twitter: https://x.com/puregoldbiz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PureGoldBusinessSolutions