Scaling a business sustainably means being prepared for long-term growth. This guide will walk you through how to scale up your business so you always remain in control of your future.
As a small business owner, your eyes are always on the horizon, seeking out growth opportunities wherever they come. You've figure how to start a business, now it's time to figure out how to grow it.
Growth is good, but growth isn’t always sustainable. That’s why we’re talking about scaling—growth that is deliberate, long term, and fully in your control.
To scale sustainably means going in with a plan and being prepared to handle any challenge that’s thrown your way. It’s the difference between getting a sudden spike in sales and every process falling apart, and getting a sudden spike in sales and handling every order smoothly with great customer service to boot.
It takes planning, expertise, and sometimes funding to get it done. We’ll walk you through how to craft an iron-clad plan for your future.
Meet your experts
Say hello to two brands that have successfully scaled their business from humble beginnings. We interviewed them for practical advice on scaling that you can apply to your own business.
Katie and her sister Amanda are the brains behind Pantee, a line of underwear and bras made exclusively from dead-stock t-shirts and t-shirt fabric. They launched in February 2021 after a successful Kickstarter campaign and have only grown since, adding new products and seeking further investment to keep up with demand.
Sustainability is at the heart of Pantee and plays a role in every part of its supply chain. The brand’s challenge is staying true to that ideal while scaling up.
Increase Your Marketing Budget: One of the most effective ways to scale a small business is to invest more money in marketing. This can include everything from increasing your social media presence to launching more targeted advertising campaigns.
Automate Your Processes: Automation can help you save time, reduce costs, and free up resources to focus on new growth opportunities. Consider automating tasks such as customer service, accounting, and inventory management.
Focus on Customer Service: Providing excellent customer service is a surefire way to scale a business. Make sure your customer service team is well-trained and equipped to handle customer inquiries and complaints quickly and efficiently.
Invest in New Technology: Investing in new technology can help you streamline processes and increase efficiency. Consider implementing new software solutions that can help you increase productivity and better manage your business operations.
Hire More Staff: If your business is growing, it may be time to hire more staff. This can include hiring additional customer service agents, salespeople, marketing professionals, and other administrative staff.
What is a scaling strategy?
A scaling strategy is a business plan for increasing the size of a business or organization. It involves developing an action plan for growing the business, including expanding into new markets, hiring additional staff, increasing production capacity, and investing in new technology. The goal of the scaling strategy is to achieve the highest level of growth and profitability possible.
What does it mean to scale a business?
Scaling a business means increasing its ability to grow and generate revenue without being constrained by its structure or available resources. This involves expanding operations, optimizing processes, and leveraging technology; for example, investing in automation tools, entering new markets, or improving supply chain efficiency to handle larger volumes.