Private Security | Chicago, IL, Chris | Coached by Alan Melton, Small Business Coach Associates
Chris Sherwin came to Alan Melton of Small Business Coach Associates as a full-time Chicago police officer running USIA, a private security firm, from 1,300 miles away with growth stalled at $3 million. Using Google Business Profile optimization and a strategic hiring plan that added sales and operations support, Chris grew USIA from $3 million to $9 million in revenue in just 10 months. In 2026, USIA landed on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies.
Here’s how he did it.
The Challenge
- Growth had stalled around $3 million for years with only one or two major clients
- No optimized Google Business Profile to generate new local leads
- Running the business as the sole point of contact, with no sales or operations team
- Working two full-time roles, police officer and business owner, from 1,300 miles away
The Solution
- Optimized his Google Business Profile to generate new leads without additional ad spend
- Built a strategic hiring plan, adding team members in sales and operations
- Delegated administrative work to free up time for closing new business
- Weekly accountability coaching to keep growth goals on track
The Role of Small Business Coach Associates
- Guided the Google Business Profile optimization strategy that helped generate new business
- Built the hiring strategy that added sales and operations support at the right time
- Provided consistent, one-on-one accountability through weekly coaching
- Helped Chris shift time away from admin work and toward high-value sales activity
The Results
- Revenue grew from $3 million to $9 million in 10 months, tripling his original goal of doubling the business
- Named to the 2026 Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies
- Generated new leads through an optimized Google Business Profile
- Successfully grew his team with new hires in sales and operations
Author Bio
Alan Melton is an Inc. 500 founder, award-winning entrepreneur, and business coach who has built or acquired 18 companies and coached more than 1,100 business owners. His companies have served elite clients including the Ritz-Carlton and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is a Florida Governor’s Sterling Award winner and former SBA Small Business Person of the Year.