If you’ve been in business for more than a minute, you know there’s no shortage of misconceptions and false dichotomies to go around. Today I want to set the record straight and unpack six essential entrepreneurial lessons that have been drowned out by dubious business “advice” du jour.
1. Growth and Scale Aren’t Opposites
When it comes to business, the terms “growth” and “scale” often get thrown around like they’re on opposite ends of a spectrum. People tend to think of growth as hustling to drive revenue, while scale is what happens when you’ve made it—when your business starts operating on autopilot and profits just roll in. But that’s not the reality.
The truth is, you don’t need to choose between growth and scale. In fact, they’re both essential, and you should be focusing on both from the beginning. Healthy growth means you’re increasing revenue without burning out, and scale ensures your profits rise along with that revenue. You don’t wait to scale until you’ve grown, they happen together if you’re doing it right.
2. Always Keep Profits in Focus
You need to keep profits in focus, even in the early stages of growth. It’s easy to think, “Well, I’m in startup mode—profits will come later.” That mindset is a trap. You can (and should) focus on profits, even as you’re investing in new hires, technology, or real estate.
Don’t fall for the idea that a startup has to bleed money to succeed. Growing with a clear eye on profitability takes discipline and patience, but it’s crucial for sustainable success. No matter what phase of business you’re in, whether you’re growing or scaling, always focus on profits.
3. The Right Order: Get Customers, Then Improve Operations
When you’re starting out, the most important thing is to get customers. That’s step one. After that? Get more customers. It’s so easy to get caught up in refining services, tweaking your marketing, or trying to perfect your operations. But none of that matters if you don’t have enough customers to support it.
Operations and systems do need improvement, but not at the expense of focusing on customer acquisition. Revenue is what keeps you in business, and it’s that revenue that allows you to make improvements. So, get customers, get more customers, and then improve operations. That’s the right order for growth.
4. Growth Takes Work, But That’s What Works
Another reason people shy away from focusing on growth is that it sounds like a lot of work—and, let’s be real, it is. But that’s the point! Growth does require effort, investment, and time. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the foundation of any successful business.
While scale might sound like the “automated” part of the process, it’s really just an extension of the hard work you’ve already put in to grow. So embrace the grind of growth because that’s what gets you to a place where scaling becomes possible. Growth is work, but it’s also what works.
5. The Mindset Aspect
As entrepreneurs and business owners, our mindset shapes how we approach growth, scale, and even leadership. For example, when it comes to your team, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have “people problems.” But what if you reframed that?
Instead of seeing people as problems, see them as responsibilities. It’s not a burden to lead your team, it’s a privilege. The fact that people are dedicating 40 hours a week to help you achieve your vision is a huge deal. Once you shift from thinking “people problems” to “people responsibilities,” it changes how you show up as a leader.
Your mindset also affects how you talk to yourself and others. The way you think about challenges can either help you or hold you back. If you constantly think of problems, it’ll feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. But if you see challenges as opportunities to grow and lead, that shift in perspective can change the entire trajectory of your day, your month, or even your business.
6. The Courage to Change
I asked a wildly successful entrepreneur recently, “What’s the one thing that guarantees success in business?” Their answer was simple but profound: the ability to recognize your mistakes and have the courage to change them.
No business is perfect, and we all make mistakes. But the entrepreneurs who succeed are the ones who can look at their business, acknowledge what’s not working, and have the guts to make changes. This takes honesty, self-awareness, and a willingness to put in the work, but it’s also the path to inevitable success.
Final Thoughts
I hope sharing these insights helps you in your journey.
- It’s not growth or scale—it’s growth and scale.
- Keep your focus on profits, don’t rush to fix operations before you have customers.
- Jump into the hard work of growth because it’s what drives success.
And perhaps most importantly, never underestimate the power of your mind. The way you think shapes the way you lead, the way you grow, and ultimately, the way you scale.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into topics like this, it might be time to chat with my team at Brand Builders Group. We help entrepreneurs like you grow and scale personal brands while keeping the focus on both profits and purpose. Consider scheduling a free Brand Call to see how we can help you increase your impact and income.
