In the world of entrepreneurship, there’s an unspoken pressure that bigger is always better. But is that really true? The quirky truth about how businesses grow is that growth isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, success looks like building a global empire; for others, it’s creating a small, sustainable venture that aligns with their personal values. The beauty of owning your business lies in defining what success means to you—not by society’s standards, but by your vision and core desires.
Growth Isn’t Mandatory
The first myth to bust is that every business must grow in size to succeed. Many entrepreneurs thrive by staying small and focusing on quality over quantity. In fact, how businesses grow depends heavily on their unique mission. If your business’s core goal is to provide specialized services to a niche audience, scaling might dilute that focus. Staying true to your vision can often be more fulfilling than chasing revenue for the sake of appearances.
Moreover, expanding without a clear purpose can lead to burnout. Scaling comes with its own set of challenges—hiring, managing, and potentially losing the personal touch that made your business special in the first place. Before you dive into growth, ask yourself why you want it. Are you expanding because it aligns with your long-term goals, or because you feel like you’re supposed to?
Let Your Compass Be Your Guide
Every business starts with a dream, but the journey of how to make business grow should align with that dream, not compromise it. Some entrepreneurs envision freedom, working on their own terms and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. For them, growth might look like streamlining operations, not increasing headcount. Others aim for innovation and want to make a large-scale impact. Both paths are valid.
Let your vision act as your compass. If staying small allows you to achieve your core desires—whether that’s flexibility, creative freedom, or maintaining a personal connection with your clients—then staying small is a victory. Remember, how to make business grow doesn’t always mean more; sometimes, it means better.
ATTENTION SPOLIER!
One of the mistakes I used to do when I started my venture was to think about how to grow the business according to what other people said it was supposed to be rather than planning the growth according to my own vision.
I have learnt that the “why” behind the choice of starting my own venture and the vision I set for it are the only compass for my business growth.
Learn more in the article “Long Visions, Short Plans – Your Strategy is Your Compass”.
The Many Shapes of Growth
Growth is not always linear, and it certainly doesn’t have to be about revenue. Learning new skills, building stronger relationships with clients, or improving efficiency are all ways businesses grow. A quirky truth about how businesses grow is that these internal improvements can be just as impactful as external scaling.
For example, a freelance graphic designer may not aspire to run a large agency. Instead, they might invest in better tools, upgrade their skills, or develop a unique artistic style that commands higher rates. This is growth, even if it doesn’t fit the traditional mold.
Similarly, how to make business grow can mean building a loyal customer base rather than reaching more customers. A coffee shop that becomes a beloved community hub has achieved growth in connection, even if it hasn’t opened a second location.
Success Is Personal
At the end of the day, success is deeply personal. The quirky truth about how businesses grow is that there’s no universal formula. Instead of chasing someone else’s idea of success, focus on what feels right for you. Growth is a choice, not an obligation.
So, whether your business is small or big, be proud of it. Let your vision guide you, and define success on your terms. After all, the best part of entrepreneurship is creating a life and career that you love—no matter the size of your business.
So, is your dream business small or big?
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Param Satija
“Small or Big, Be Proud of It: The Truth On How Businesses Grow,” and I have to say, it really resonated with me. It’s refreshing to see someone challenge the conventional wisdom that bigger is always better in the business world.
Your point about growth not being mandatory is spot on. So many entrepreneurs feel pressured to scale up, often at the expense of their original vision and personal well-being. It’s crucial to remember that success isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept; it’s about aligning your business with your own goals and values.
I also appreciated your emphasis on letting one’s vision serve as a compass. It’s easy to get caught up in external expectations, but staying true to what you set out to achieve can lead to more fulfilling outcomes. Your personal anecdote about initially trying to grow your business based on others’ opinions really hit home. It’s a valuable lesson in the importance of self-guidance and authenticity.
The idea that growth comes in many forms—not just revenue or size—is something more entrepreneurs need to hear. Enhancing skills, building stronger client relationships, and improving efficiency are all valid and valuable forms of growth. It’s about quality, not just quantity.
Thank you for sharing these insights. It’s a great reminder that in entrepreneurship, staying true to oneself and one’s vision is paramount.