Did you know Growth Quarters is taking the stage this fall?
Whenever I discuss my startup with someone, I get asked how I am going to scale my business.
My usual response is that I am happy with its current size and dont plan on expanding.
Let me give you some background; I run an affiliate marketing business with my husband.
We have four employees.
Its a small gig.
And its been this way for nearly five years now.
Perhaps its the last bit that annoys a lot of my peers the most.
Five years is a long time for a startup.
It’s free, every week, in your inbox.
But I want none of these things and I will tell you why.
I like my tiny company
Business owners are obsessed with growth.
But not a gradual growth that companies usually experience.
They want to SCALE FAST.
But is it necessary to relentlessly pursue growth?
I would argue otherwise.
Now, I will not go all philosophical or give you a lecture on minimalism.
Instead, I will make a simple argument:
Organizations become much more complex as they scale.
Ultimately, you would have to hire more employees, work with freelancers, and partner with other businesses.
Some of this would require you to give up personal control.
The little workforce I have performs exceptionally well.
I know what each employee brings to the table.
This isnt remotely possible with a big workforce.
I get to help out other businesses
Most entrepreneurs want to be a force for good.
Admittedly, I am not one of those geniuses that are revolutionizing medicine or creating sustainable energy solutions.
But my business model allows me to do something for the community.
As I explained before, I do work in the e-commerce space but dont sell anything of my own.
Instead, my website promotes coupons and promo codes of different online stores.
Its aform of affiliate marketingthat has gained significant traction in recent years.
We can prioritize these companies and even be lax when it comes to commissions.
Scaling would require us to put money at the forefront and work with industry leaders.
In other words, it would suck the soul out of my business.
The answer is simple; I am striving to make my company better and not bigger.
There is a difference between the two.
Bigger businesses dont necessarily provide the best of services.
Theyre just able to reach more people and able to serve a larger clientele.
These solutions might not reach everyone but thats beside the point.
However, growth is and will never be the ultimate objective for me.
I make enough money
I know what youd be thinking;enough money?
ENOUGH MONEY?THERES NO SUCH THING.
Once again, I would like to provide a different perspective.
Money is a great thing.
Its the primary reason we do this business.
It pays the bill and lets us buy cereals for our kids.
However, theres a point at whichmoney becomes an obsession.
My husband and I have a specific income target for each month.
Theres no point in working our backsides off for more.
Different entrepreneurs have different motivations.
If youre someone thats looking to scale then thats completely fine.
I dont look down on you and wish you nothing but the best.
What I wish to explain is that business owners who choose to stay small are neither lazy nor uninspired.
They are simply motivated by things other than growth.
Businesses CAN choose to stay small and theres nothing wrong with that.
Story byEvelyn Johnson
Evelyn has a decade worth of experience as a digital marketing professional.
