When you run a small business, especially in web design and digital services, you tend to hear a lot about “growth.” Scale up. Hire more. Do more. But one particular client story made me realize what success looks like (specially for me).
We’d been working with a construction business for a few years-hosted their website, helped with some updates here and there. Then one day, they decided to move to a different provider that promised SEO, digital ads, and the works. (We totally get it. Business needs evolve.)
But what I didn’t realize until they left-was how big their business was. This wasn’t just a typical business. They had marketing consultants coming to their office weekly. They were investing thousands in physical and radio advertising. They had dozens of crews and trucks and were pulling in millions.
…And that’s when it hit me: not all businesses are the same—and neither are their owners.
There are some that aim to become the next big brand. And there are others-more like the ones we tend to work with-who just want a good life, a solid income, and the freedom to work with people they care about. No interest in spending $10k a month on marketing. No dreams of managing a 100-person team. They just want a business that feels right for them.
That realization changed the way I define success, not just for our clients, but for myself too. I started asking better questions: “What does success look like for you?” Not everyone wants to “grow.” Some want to stay exactly where they are-but with less stress and more joy.
So, what’s the takeaway?
A successful business doesn’t have to be a huge one. It just has to fit your life. Sometimes, your next step isn’t about building bigger, it’s about building better for the life you want.