We asked fifteen CEOs and founders what decision they made early on that made scaling their startup significantly easier. From prioritizing strategic partnerships to conducting daily customer calls, discover how these decisions paved the way for future growth.
- Prioritize Strategic Partnerships
- Bootstrap for Healthy Growth
- Write Standard Operating Procedures
- Adopt a Remote-First Work Culture
- Invest in Scalable Cloud Infrastructure
- Incorporate Client Feedback
- Gather a Strong Team
- Document Everything
- Target a Specific Demographic
- Place Sustainability in Your Core Values
- Build with Quality Production Equipment
- Integrate Automation Early
- Focus on Customization
- Get a Robust E-Commerce Platform
- Conduct Daily Customer Calls
Prioritize Strategic Partnerships
The decision to prioritize strategic partnerships early on proved instrumental in scaling my startup and setting the stage for future growth. I embraced the wisdom of the African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go further, go with others.” This philosophy guided me to seek out and cultivate relationships with key players in our industry and adjacent sectors.
I got really clear on who I wanted to associate with and began building meaningful connections. This approach allowed me to access critical knowledge, resources, and support from individuals and organizations that possessed exactly what we needed to thrive.
By consistently demonstrating my business value proposition and commitment to mutual success, I was able to gain their trust and confidence. As a result, these influential partners readily added me to their networks, providing invaluable exposure and opportunities for future growth.
This strategic decision not only facilitated smoother scaling but also established a robust ecosystem of support that continues to fuel our expansion and innovation.
Yemisi Iyilade
Principal, Eminent Coaching Academy
Bootstrap for Healthy Growth
In the early days of our company, we made a conscious decision to bootstrap our growth. Instead of chasing venture capital, we focused on generating revenue and reinvesting profits back into the business. This approach forced us to be resourceful, efficient, and laser-focused on building a sustainable model.
By prioritizing profitability over rapid expansion, we were able to lay a solid foundation for future growth. We learned to make every dollar count, to meticulously track our spending, and to make data-driven decisions that maximized our return on investment. This disciplined approach not only helped us weather the inevitable ups and downs of entrepreneurship but also instilled a culture of fiscal responsibility and sustainability throughout the company.
As we scaled, this lean mindset allowed us to maintain control over our vision and direction, avoiding the pressures and compromises that often come with external funding. We were able to grow at a pace that felt comfortable and sustainable, building a strong foundation for long-term success.
Michael Gargiulo
Founder, CEO, VPN.com
Write Standard Operating Procedures
Early on, we decided to invest time in writing Standard Operating Procedures for each service/activity that we offer. These take the form of step-by-step instructions with screenshots and examples. These documents standardize our practices.
This has helped us scale. As each time we grew, we could onboard new content writers really quickly. The documents and accompanying video ensured consistency in our service.
Hannah Millist
CEO, Twogether Digital
Adopt a Remote-First Work Culture
Choosing to focus on a flexible, remote-first work culture from the start was crucial. This approach attracted top talent, regardless of geographical boundaries, and reduced overhead costs significantly. The decision to go remote not only widened our talent pool but also made scaling into new markets more seamless and less capital-intensive.
Our remote-first strategy not only curtailed the usual scaling pains related to physical office spaces, but also ingrained a culture of flexibility and independence within the team. This adaptability is a tremendous asset, especially when entering new markets and needing to quickly respond to diverse customer needs.
Alari Aho
CEO and Founder, Toggl Inc
Invest in Scalable Cloud Infrastructure
A critical decision I made in the early stages of my startup that has made scaling it significantly smoother is investing in scalable cloud infrastructure. I wanted a flexible cloud service provider who would guarantee the company flexible resources, automatic scaling, and robust security features.
Over time, this decision has set TrackingMore up for the future by allowing us enough flexibility to support high traffic to our platform during the peak shopping season. Additionally, we’ve scaled our cloud resources as our client base grows without significant cost increases. Best of all, our platform’s performance remains excellent.
Going with a scalable cloud services provider has allowed us to focus on our core competency of providing shipment-tracking services and developing and improving our tracking APIs. We do not have to worry about hardware maintenance or cloud security because our cloud provider is solely responsible for these matters and excels at them.
Clooney Wang
CEO, TrackingMore
Incorporate Client Feedback
Prioritizing client feedback from the outset was one decision that really aided my startup’s growth. I remember well our first product launch, which was both exciting and nerve-racking. We immediately established mechanisms for collecting user information, such as surveys and direct feedback sessions. This was more than just collecting data; it was about actually listening to and understanding our users’ requirements.
Initially, we received complaints that our interface was too difficult for new users. Rather than staying with our previous design, we took this feedback seriously and simplified the user experience. This responsiveness not only improved our product but also raised consumer trust, which led to more word-of-mouth recommendations.
By incorporating user feedback into our development process, we were able to build a product that truly satisfied market requirements. This approach enabled us to scale confidently and build a loyal client base by consistently aligning with our users’ most valued needs.
Justin Crabbe
CEO, BlackJet
Gather a Strong Team
One pivotal decision that made scaling VMeDX much easier was investing in a strong foundational team from the start. My brothers and I made deliberate efforts to bring aboard individuals who not only had the necessary skills but also shared our passion for transforming healthcare. This cohesive, dedicated group allowed us to tackle initial hurdles more effectively and set up processes that would support future growth. Consistency in shared goals created a culture of innovation and commitment, making it easier to scale operations smoothly when the time came.
Focusing on the team’s well-being was another crucial element. We provided competitive compensation and comprehensive healthcare insurance, which led to high employee satisfaction and retention. Happy, motivated employees worked harder and stayed longer, reducing the costs and complications associated with high turnover rates. Prioritizing our team’s health and happiness turned out to be an investment that paid off in the long term, fostering a stable and productive work environment.
A practical framework for others looking to scale their startups is the principle of “hire slow, fire fast.” Taking time to hire the right people ensures a stable and effective team foundation, while quick action when someone isn’t the right fit prevents long-term issues. This approach enabled us to maintain a high standard of work and set us up for rapid, sustainable growth. Establishing a core team with shared values and a strong work ethic made every subsequent expansion phase more manageable.
Dr. Gregory Gasic
Co-Founder, VMeDx
Document Everything
Documenting everything. The first time we do any task in the business, we open up Notion and start the first version of an S.O.P. We expect it to be flawed, but it forces us to think about what we’re doing and how we can make it systematic next time. It’s so much easier to document as you do vs. trying to go back and create documentation later.
Sean Johnson
CEO, Madison
Target a Specific Demographic
A critical decision that catalyzed the scaling of Wethrift.com was the choice to target our service to online shoppers aged 18-34, a demographic widely known for its high internet literacy and readiness to use coupon codes. This allowed us to tap into a market of frequent shoppers with the tech-savvy to appreciate our service and help spread our platform virally. Additionally, we made it a priority from the outset to spotlight not just established brands, but also small and mid-sized online stores.
This approach helped to create a balanced online shopping environment in the highly competitive e-commerce landscape. These early strategic decisions forged the way for Wethrift.com, giving us a unique spot in the e-commerce industry while simultaneously preparing us for expansion as the platform successfully attracts about 3.2 million monthly visitors.
Nick Drewe
Founder & CEO, Wethrift
Place Sustainability in Your Core Values
One decision that greatly eased the scaling of Or & Zon was our early aim to integrate sustainability into our business model. Rather than considering this an afterthought or marketing angle, it framed our operations at every level—from sourcing to product selection, and even packaging. For instance, we chose to work directly with artisans worldwide, ensuring fair wages and preserving traditional crafts, instead of opting for mass-produced goods.
This decision fostered a strong brand identity anchored in ethical luxury, differentiating us in a saturated market and opening doors to a clientele that values sustainability as much as design and quality. It also set us up for future growth by aligning our brand with the global trend towards conscious consumerism. This intersection of luxury and sustainability has become our cornerstone, making it easier to scale up without losing sight of our core values.
Guillaume Drew
Founder & CEO, Or & Zon
Build with Quality Production Equipment
In the early stages of Srlon, I made a key decision that facilitated our swift scaling: significant investment in breakthrough production equipment. Recognizing that a quality product was only part of the equation, it was pivotal to ensure sustainable and efficient mass production to meet growing market demands. The deployment of advanced automated production lines and specialized machinery in 2010 revolutionized our processes, boosting our production capability to 200 million sets of high-barrier containers annually.
This strategic move ensured we were ready for the growing demand without compromising our commitment to standards and quality. More so, the cost- and time-efficiency provided by the new equipment resulted in improved gross margins, providing more resources to be funneled back into R&D and innovation. This decision truly set the foundation for Srlon’s growth trajectory, reinforcing our commitment to continuous improvement and solidifying our position as a leader in the high-barrier packaging industry.
Tony Chen
CEO, Srlon
Integrate Automation Early
One of the smartest choices I made initially was to invest in automation right from the beginning. Instead of handling tasks manually, we implemented systems to manage inventory, order processing, and customer service. It may have appeared costly initially, but it prevented many future problems.
As we matured, there was no need to rush to catch up as the foundation was already in place. This enabled us to concentrate on expanding and planning instead of always trying to keep up, leading to a much more seamless growth process.
Jordan Adair
CEO, ShirtMax
Focus on Customization
One of the decisions that made scaling Mondressy significantly easier was focusing on customization from the very beginning. Offering personalized wedding and formal dresses allowed us to stand out in a crowded market. This approach fostered strong customer loyalty, as people appreciated the uniqueness and personal touch.
Early on, we invested in a robust online platform that allowed customers to tweak designs, choose fabrics, and input their measurements. This initial investment paid off by setting up a flexible system that scaled smoothly as demand grew.
Implementing this customization framework also meant our production processes needed to be incredibly adaptable. We established strong relationships with fabric suppliers and skilled seamstresses who could handle these bespoke orders efficiently. This adaptability is more than just operational versatility—it’s a strategic advantage. During peak seasons, we could manage increased orders without compromising on quality or delivery times. The ability to pivot and adapt quickly has been key to maintaining our reputation as a reliable, premium choice.
From a marketing perspective, showcasing real stories and photos of brides wearing their customized Mondressy dresses built a sense of community around our brand. This social proof was invaluable, leading to organic growth through word of mouth and social media shares. It wasn’t just about making sales; it was about creating memorable experiences, which is why transitioning from a startup to a scaling business felt almost seamless.
Jean Chen
COO & Co-Founder, Mondressy
Get a Robust E-Commerce Platform
One pivotal decision that really helped to scale my startup, The Trade Table, was investing early in a robust but flexible e-commerce platform that could handle scaling as the business grew.
Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar-dependent businesses, our online focus allowed us to reach a wider audience, adapt to changing market needs, and manage operational costs effectively.
As a result, this set a strong foundation for our future growth by allowing us to quickly respond to the changing digital landscape, stay ahead of market competition, and cater to customer preferences in a timely manner.
Furthermore, we made sure that our operating procedures were defined and documented clearly from the get-go. This enabled a standardized approach to our activities, facilitating a smoother handover as we brought on more staff to cope with expansion. These actions, coupled with a steadfast dedication to customer satisfaction, significantly streamlined our scaling process.
Forrest Webber
Owner, The Trade Table
Conduct Daily Customer Calls
Our secret weapon for scaling? Daily customer calls from day one.
It sounds simple, but it was a game-changer. We’d hop on the phone, listen intently, and use that feedback to shape our product. This hands-on approach fast-tracked our path to product-market fit and kept us nimble.
Our early adopters became our biggest cheerleaders, spreading the word as we grew. Plus, these chats weren’t just about the product—they shaped our entire business strategy.
By putting customers at the heart of everything, we built something people actually wanted. And that made all the difference when it came time to scale.
Moshe Simantov
Fractional CTO, Moshe.io