Scaling a business can sound like a big, hairy-scary operation. I get it.
New things that we’ve never done before are super intimidating, especially when a whole slew of myths are floating around out there, making scaling sound way harder, way fancier, and way more expensive than it is.
To bust those myths, I’m going to invite you to ignore the gatekeepers and give yourself permission to put on your CEO hat. As long as you’re making a few thousand dollars or more in your business every month…it’s absolutely worth your time to consider how you’re going to scale your business.
Before we dive into these myths, let’s just define what I mean by scaling, so we’re on the same page. Scaling is growing your business without requiring more of your personal time and attention. That means revenue increases while your involvement decreases. And I’d love nothing more than to see that kind of magic happen for you!
Scaling Myth #1: They’re buying YOU, not your service!
I have a big beef with this one—and it’s a lil’ bit creepy—so we’re just going to dive right in. This statement often comes from well-meaning business and branding coaches who want to emphasize that it’s your unique talent that makes what you do special. While I agree with that, I also see this myth trapping entrepreneurs in 1:1 service models. They end up believing the only way anyone will find value in their work is if they’re physically present or in a very high-touch container. This is simply not true, so let’s kick this myth to the curb!
Scaling Myth #2: You need digital or automated offers to scale.
While you don’t have to provide all of your services 1:1 to scale, you also don’t have to wait until you have everything digitized in order to do it! The best scaling strategies start simply. When I help clients position their services for scaling, we often begin with how to maximize the delivery of their current offerings—anything from hand-delivered services to digital courses. Most business owners haven’t processed all of their options, which could include hiring contractors to deliver parts of their services, automating just a portion of an offer (like onboarding), or shifting to a group program style of serving their clients.
Scaling Myth #3: You can only scale with a funnel and ads.
Not every business is a great candidate for a big, fancy funnel and paid ads. Many businesses need to get organic growth under their belt first before putting money on the line. It’s often more effective to start with a simple funnel, find out what really sells well, and grow from there.
Scaling Myth #4: You need a big team to handle a scaling workload.
Soooooo many business owners trap themselves in a chicken-or-the-egg situation where they’re not sure if they should wait to make more money and then hire more team or hire more team while trusting that the revenue will come. When we add the idea of scaling into the mix, this conundrum becomes even more intense, and business owners worry that they shouldn’t try to scale because they don’t have enough team already to do it.
In my experience, it’s a good idea to know who can help you hire (i.e., an OBM) and where you might go to find extra support when you need it (i.e., UpWork, Instagram connections, etc.). It’s unusual that growth happens so fast that you truly can’t hire as needed. And, if your systems and offers are set up for scaling you might be surprised how lean your team can be.
Scaling Myth #5: Systems are a waste of time when you’re starting out.
If you’ve ever watched a vine grow, you know it’s a bad idea to let it roam free for too long. Trellises exist for a reason. In your business, systems are like a trellis, guiding your growth in just the right direction. Without systems, you’ll end up with roots in all the wrong places that you have to pull up later. While systems are better put in place late than never…early is certainly my preference.
Scaling Myth #6: You need to create a system for everything before you scale your business or team.
A few core systems to detail your most crucial workflows will get you going, and any additional systems you need can often be created by people you hire. OBMs, VAs, and even freelancers like copywriters and graphic designers can guide you in making your workflows more efficient for everyone involved. Trying to create your systems on an island isn’t always best.
Scaling Myth #7: It’s going to cost me my heart, soul, and savings to scale!
When your business has operated with little to no overhead for a year or several years, it can be easy to think that scaling is going to be expensive. Scaling is only expensive when it isn’t done strategically and sustainably. It should increase your expenses, yes, but it should also increase your revenue and give you more time freedom. Ultimately, the additional costs are an investment in the impact you want to make and the authentic way you want to make it.
It’s absolutely possible to scale and automate your business without losing your brand’s personal touch—right down to your client communications. As you systemize and scale your business, you’ll actually gain time to get creative and fully embody your CEO self. This means focusing on innovative ways to reach new customers and having fun in your business because all of the day-to-day tasks have been taken care of.
Ready to scale with ease? Let me guide you through a free audit of your business so you can eliminate friction, simplify your workload, and create feel-good growth!
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March 12, 2024
