Celi Arias
Expert Scale Strategist, CEO and Founder
East Marion, NY
My Role
Celi Arias, Expert Scale Strategist, is the CEO and Founder of The Grown Ass Business, where she guides entrepreneurs through her proprietary methodology, Key Growth Systems, to build strong foundations for their businesses. Recognized as a top coach by The Upside in 2024, Celi helps her clients break free from revenue plateaus and burnout by teaching them to view and manage their ventures as true businesses. Her approach addresses the common issue of entrepreneurs hitting a ceiling due to limited knowledge or skills, emphasizing the importance of understanding core business principles over quick fixes like funnel building or social media tricks.
Celi's clients often come to her feeling stuck, confused, and exhausted, unsure of how to move forward. She provides clarity and control, helping them identify and optimize the essential business departments necessary for growth. The Grown Ass Business Method incorporates five key systems that every business needs to succeed, allowing entrepreneurs to wear multiple hats effectively until they can hire specialized roles. By focusing on these fundamental pillars, Celi ensures that her clients' businesses are built on solid foundations, ready to scale up to seven figures and beyond.
With an impressive educational background including two bachelor's degrees, an MBA, a Master of Divinity, and two additional certificates, Celi brings a wealth of knowledge to her coaching practice. Her journey in entrepreneurship is both a professional and spiritual quest, constantly pushing her to question, grow, and find innovative solutions. From her early experiences as a professional tango dancer and fashion industry professional, Celi has always embraced challenges and sought out unique ways to overcome them.
As an immigrant from Argentina who arrived in the US at the age of six, Celi's upbringing in a family of doctors and scientists instilled in her a strong work ethic and dedication, while also inspiring her to question traditional paths and forge her own. Her diverse background and relentless pursuit of excellence have shaped her into a dynamic and passionate coach, dedicated to helping others achieve their business goals and realize their fullest potential.
What I love most about my role
We make business way harder than it needs to be. Why? Because of our blind spots, the skills we lack, our past experiences, and, let’s face it, our limiting beliefs. But business is like anything else in life—it’s a game. And I love teaching people how to play it. The rules, the strategies, the positions—it’s all there. My job is to help people navigate those rules so they can avoid the mistakes I made. When my clients learn from my years of experience and dodge some of the painful and costly missteps I went through, that’s what truly fills my heart with joy. Life is hard enough; business doesn’t need to be.
How I define success
Success, for me, is being able to walk into any room as the most real, unapologetic version of myself—and have that translate into money and freedom. It’s about creating a life where I decide what to do with my time, how I want to live with my family, and how to spend my money. Success means living fully alive, deeply on purpose, and knowing that my work supports that. When you’re able to be fully expressed, do work that’s meaningful, and build a life on your terms, that’s real success.
The best piece of business advice I ever received was
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable, because real growth happens outside of your comfort zone. When you’re willing to look foolish and take risks that push your boundaries, you’re truly stretching yourself—and that’s where the magic happens. Be willing to celebrate the mistakes and embrace the mess-ups because each one means you’re alive and evolving.
And here’s another gem I live by: take unserious advice from unserious people, unseriously. That’s Chelsea Clinton’s advice, and it’s brilliant. Caring too much about what others think—especially from those who don’t understand your path—will only slow you down. Surround yourself with people who get your vision, and keep moving forward with those who push you to grow.
What would I tell my younger self
You already know the answers—if you just get still and listen. Trust that inner voice, even when it feels like you’re swimming against the current. That unique, unpaved path you’re on is going to be hard, it’s going to be scary, but you’re not alone. You’ll find your people. And anyone who doesn’t “get it” means well, but will unintentionally hold you back. You are a rocketship if you let yourself be. So, listen to those who believe in you, and keep pushing forward for those who can’t see the vision yet. They will ultimately come around and see what you’ve created.
What 2B Bolder mean to me
Boldness is walking into every room as myself—unfiltered and fully expressed. Bold is hearing “that’s impossible” and deciding to prove them wrong. My life is full of achievements that started with someone saying I couldn’t do it—from ballet to corporate to my own business. Boldness is knowing you deserve every ounce of success, every dollar, even if it makes people still living in an outdated paradigm, uncomfortable. Boldness is knowing you’re unique and valuable, listening to your inner voice, and letting it guide you—even if it makes waves. That’s a fully human experience. Bold is deciding you’re worth it, even if the world isn’t ready for you yet.
To all the young women reading this: Be bold enough to take your unique path. Trust yourself, and know that your success will make waves. The world needs more of what only you can bring.
Years of Experience
15+
I recommend you focus on developing these 3 skills to succeed in a role like mine
- growing and scaling businesses
- Building strong business foundations
- helps entrepreneurs reach their business goals