Bigger Isn’t Always Better. A Tough Love Tuesday Tip

As entrepreneurs, we get a lot of messages about size.
“Stop playing small!”
“Play a bigger game!”
“Dream big!”
“Think big!”

We’re always told to expand our reach, grow our businesses, build an empire, increase our income and become the best biggest business owner you can be!

But big isn’t always better.

Expansion and growth sound like something we should all want, but your success, wealth and happiness aren’t dependant upon getting “bigger” or playing a bigger game.  In fact, your long-term success and overall wealth may depend upon your business staying small. Or small-ish.

There was a popular restaurant in Sebastopol, CA, called Lucy’s. They had great food, a limited menu and they were packed all the time. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. The entire restaurant probably seated 125 people max. When my ex-husband and I would go there, we would often have to wait 20-30 minutes for a table, which we gladly did because we knew our meal would be worth the wait.

Then, Lucy’s decided to expand. They moved across the street to a space almost 4 times its size. They expanded their menu, too, and added a full bar.

And they closed within a year.

Why? Because the food was okay but it wasn’t as good as it used to be. The atmosphere felt cold and a bit sterile, and something – their unique charm and coziness – had been totally lost in the translation.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t grow or expand your reach. What I am saying is that doing so is not the key to your success… and it’s not a requirement for success. It’s about creating what feels right and good and “best” for you and your clients… regardless of size!

Take the Goldilocks Approach. There’s too small, too big and then there’s just right! It’s not about size. It’s about creating, maintaining and enjoying a business that feels “just right” for you.