Scaling a small business from $100k to $1 million in revenue over six years is no small feat. And if you’ve ever tried it, you know it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s not the glamorous life you might imagine when you see entrepreneurs living it up on Instagram. Sure, we post the wins, the milestones, and the highlights, but what you don’t see are the days we question everything, the nights we can’t sleep because our minds are racing, and the weight we carry on our shoulders for our team and their families.

I’ll be the first to say, there’s no roadmap for this journey. It’s not like someone hands you a manual and says, “Here’s how to grow your business to seven figures.” You have to figure it out as you go, and sometimes you’re winging it, hoping that the decision you made is the right one, not just for you but for the 25 women depending on your business to feed their families. That’s where the real stress comes from—not the way the outside world sees your success or failures, but the responsibility you feel toward the people who’ve trusted you to lead.

And let me tell you, if your “why” isn’t bigger than your ego, you won’t survive.

The Reality Behind the Reels

We all know those Instagram reels: the ones where people look effortlessly chic in perfectly staged workspaces, sipping lattes, and making deals on their phones. But anyone who’s actually run a business knows that’s not the whole story. You don’t see the sweat, the tears, or the real work behind the scenes. I’ve had plenty of days where my to-do list felt impossible, where I wanted to throw my hands up and walk away, and where the stress was overwhelming.

Some days, it’s the emails that won’t stop, the unexpected fires that need to be put out, and the clients that seem impossible to please. Other days, it’s the moments of doubt where you ask yourself, “Am I really cut out for this? Can I actually make this work?” Those are the days you don’t see on Instagram because they don’t fit the perfect narrative. But they are the reality for every entrepreneur who’s grinding to build something bigger than themselves.

Making Tough Decisions

If you think scaling a business is a straight shot to the top, I’m here to tell you it’s anything but. It’s a series of difficult decisions, and every choice has consequences. Some of them are good, and some… well, some are not so good. But you learn from them all.

Early on, I had to decide where to invest what little money I had. Was it in marketing? Hiring help? Buying better tools or systems? Each decision felt like it could make or break the business. And then, as we grew, those decisions only got bigger. Suddenly, I had people on payroll, and I wasn’t just making decisions for me—I was making decisions that affected their lives, too. That’s a whole new level of pressure.

You have to be willing to take risks, but you also have to be prepared for the fallout if those risks don’t pay off. And sometimes, they don’t. I’ve made my share of mistakes, but I’ve also learned from every single one of them. The key is to keep going, even when it feels like the odds are stacked against you.

The Weight of Responsibility

When I started this journey, it was just me. I had big dreams and a lot of ambition, but I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Fast forward six years, and now 25 women work for me. Let me say that again: 25 women are depending on the business I built to put food on their tables and take care of their families. That’s a responsibility I never take lightly.

The stress of knowing that these women rely on me is something that keeps me up at night. When things go wrong, when we hit a slow season, or when an unexpected expense comes up, it’s not just my livelihood on the line—it’s theirs, too. And that’s something that weighs heavy on me.

But it’s also what drives me. I’ve always wanted to build something that mattered, something that wasn’t just about me or my success. Knowing that I’m creating jobs, that I’m helping these women support their families, that’s what keeps me going on the hard days. That’s what makes all the sacrifices worth it.

Ego vs. Impact

If you’re thinking about scaling your business, let me give you one piece of advice: leave your ego at the door. This journey is not about you. It’s about the people you serve, the team you lead, and the impact you’re making. If you’re doing this for the recognition or the applause, you’re in for a rude awakening. Because the truth is, most people won’t see or understand the hard work you’re putting in. They’ll only see the result, and they’ll assume it was easy. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.

The only way to survive the ups and downs of entrepreneurship is to have a “why” that’s bigger than your ego. For me, that “why” is the women who work for me, and my children. I want my kids to see what it looks like to build something meaningful, to show up for the people around you, and to treat everyone with respect and kindness, no matter what.

There’s something incredibly fulfilling about knowing that the way I’ve shown up for the women on my team will have a ripple effect. It’s not just about running a business—it’s about creating a culture, setting an example, and leaving a legacy. I want my kids to grow up knowing that we don’t just chase success for ourselves, we build it in a way that lifts others up along the way.

Building a Team You Trust

Let me be real for a second: you can’t do this alone. As much as I’d like to be a superwoman who can handle everything on her own, the truth is, I can’t. And neither can you. If you want to scale your business, you have to build a team you trust.

I’ve been so fortunate to work with some amazing women who are just as passionate about the business as I am. But that didn’t happen overnight. It took time to find the right people, and it took even longer to build a culture where they felt empowered to take ownership and make decisions.

If you’re serious about growing your business, invest in your team. Teach them everything you know, trust them to make decisions, and give them the tools they need to succeed. When your team wins, you win. And when your team feels supported and valued, they’ll go above and beyond to help the business grow.

Sacrifices You Don’t See

It would be dishonest to say that scaling a business doesn’t come with sacrifices. It does. You sacrifice time with your family, your friends, and your personal life. There are late nights, early mornings, and missed moments. And sometimes, that hurts.

But you also learn to prioritize what really matters. Over the years, I’ve gotten better at setting boundaries and making time for the people I love. Because at the end of the day, what’s the point of building a successful business if you’re not happy or if the people you love don’t get to share in that success with you?

The Joy of Seeing It Through

Looking back on the past six years, I’m so proud of what we’ve built. It hasn’t been easy, and there were plenty of moments when I wasn’t sure we’d make it. But we did. And the greatest joy in my life is knowing that I’ve shown up for the women who work for me, for my family, and for myself.

There’s no roadmap for scaling a business, but if you’re committed, if your “why” is bigger than your ego, and if you surround yourself with the right people, it’s possible. And let me tell you, it’s worth every sleepless night, every tough decision, and every sacrifice. Because at the end of the day, you’re not just building a business—you’re building a life that matters.

Happy Business Building,
Kendra