Growth Doesn’t Have to Be Chaotic

Hi,

As a small business owner, I’ve felt the tension between wanting to grow and knowing I needed a stronger foundation first. I remember wanting to hire new talent but realizing it wasn’t sustainable without a clear strategy.

Scaling doesn’t have to mean chaos—it can be intentional, steady, and rewarding. Today we are going to ask some questions, and provide some answers, to help you navigate growth with clarity and confidence.

Monthly Rhydl
I expand with purpose yet spiral unchecked when left alone.
Harness me, and I’ll build your throne; ignore me, and I’ll make you groan.
What am I?

(Answer at the end of the newsletter!)

This Month’s Story: Shira’s Scary Scaling Adventure
Shira was a passionate solopreneur with big dreams of growing her business. She was ready to scale, but her Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) wasn’t quite there yet. Still, she decided to leap forward, hiring a team larger than her finances could support.

At first, things seemed to work. Her team brought in fresh ideas and energy. But soon, the cracks started showing. Payroll became a stressor, and Shira had to make the heartbreaking decision to let some of her team go. It was a tough lesson.

When she reached out to us, she was looking for clarity about how to move forward.

Shira took a step back, focused on building her financial foundation, and reassessed her growth strategy. A year later, she rehired - but this time, she did it sustainably, with the right MRR to back her vision. Now, Shira’s business is thriving, and so is her team.

What is one lesson you learn from this story? Let us know!

Thought for the Month

Before you spread your branches too far, focus on growing strong roots. Whether it’s your financial foundation, core processes, or team alignment, sustainable scaling starts from the ground up.

What is one root that you want to have grow a bit deeper before, or while, you scale?

Strategy Spotlight

Scaling sustainably means balancing ambition with practicality. It’s about identifying the systems, resources, and people you need before taking the next big leap. By focusing on preparation - like value adaptation and process documentation - you’ll create a foundation that supports growth without chaos.

This Month’s Blog: Navigating Change Without Losing Your Culture
Growth can be chaotic, but it doesn’t have to be. This month’s blog explores how to scale sustainably by refining your values, fostering collaboration, and balancing short-term pressures with long-term vision.

Key Insight: Scaling strengthens your culture when you manage change effectively. Start by treating your values as the roots of a tree - deepening and adapting them to support your growth.

Want to learn more about how to protect and refine your culture as you scale?

Read the full blog here: https://www.drdleitner.com/scaling-smarter/

Your Questions, Answered
Have a question about scaling your business? Reply to this email or reach out to us at [email protected].

We’d love to help!

Until next time.
Keep asking those hard questions!

P.S.
This month’s focus on tree and strong roots to flourish is based on a sentence in Pirkei Avot, "A tree with strong roots but few branches will withstand any storm." The same is true for scaling your business - focus on the roots, and the growth will follow.

Answer to the Rhydl: Scaling