Starting a small business can be one of the most satisfying, life-changing, and exciting steps for an entrepreneur or professional pursuing a dream or quitting the corporate rat race.
But it can be fraught with risk. Often, small-business founders can be driven more by a passion for their product or service at the risk of overlooking some of the core foundations of the business itself.
Greg Rynenberg is the founder and CEO of Flexigrow, a platform developed to help new business founders establish themselves, scale growth, and achieve financial success. He shared with Inside Small Business some key strategies for SME founders to deploy as they pursue growth.
Every great journey starts with a clear destination in mind
His first three words for small-business founders: planning, planning and planning.
“Starting a business is much like planning a road trip,” he explains. “You wouldn’t hit the road without knowing where you’re heading. You’d map out your destination, check your route, and make sure you have the tools to get there. Building a business is no different.”
Rynenberg urges founders to clarify their goals: Ask yourself questions like, ‘Where do you see the business in three, four, or five years?’ and ‘What financial targets or milestones do you aim to achieve?’
“Once you have a clear vision of where you want to go, break it down into manageable steps. Set short-term goals that build toward your long-term vision.”
Importantly, not only startups should adopt this approach. Existing businesses need to revisit their plans regularly.
“A plan is not static,” explains Rynenberg. “Review your progress every six months to ensure you’re on track and adapt as needed. A clear vision and consistent review and refinement sets a solid foundation for long-term success.”
Key growth strategies for any market
Once the planning is sorted, the next step is to address growth: How can you grow brand awareness and sales to achieve your desired bottom line?
Key to this is identifying, understanding and engaging with customers, he explains.
“The secret to sustainable growth is to love your customers. Word of mouth and repeat business are the best kinds of business. When your customers become advocates for your brand, they’ll bring others along for the journey.”
Rynenberg counsels small-business owners to make customer advocacy their mantra. “Build relationships that extend beyond transactions and create experiences that keep them coming back.”
Growing your business in the digital world
Regardless of their industry, small-business owners must embrace the increasingly digital trading environment to achieve growth. While some owners may consider this a daunting challenge, it need not be as complex as it sounds. Many resources are available to help you on your journey, both online and through the expertise of seasoned experts like Rynenberg.
“To thrive in today’s digital world, I start by understanding my customer’s journey: The pain points or frictional processes in my sales or service processes. Understanding those allows me to tailor solutions that exceed their expectations.”
Rynenberg says it is important for small-business owners to leverage the digital tools available – whether customer relationship management software, e-commerce platforms, or AI tools that can streamline and enhance their experience.
“With the rapid evolution of technology, the possibilities are endless.
“The businesses that stand out are those that meet their customers’ needs and consistently deliver beyond expectations.”
Empower your teams to achieve better business outcomes
As your business grows, so does your team. Rynenberg explains that this is where your role as a leader becomes crucial.
“Great leaders lead by example, inspire those around them, and empower their teams to thrive.
“Empowerment means communicating openly, listening actively, offering support, and coaching your team members to reach their full potential. Trust your people to take ownership of their roles and focus on guiding them rather than taking over.”
Rynenberg concludes that when your team feels valued and empowered, it will deliver results that drive your business forward.
Remember, you are not alone
Most businesses trading today have started small, with the vision of passionate founders, many of whom have little experience in business before launching into the market. As such, they will make many decisions almost daily – some will be right, others wrong, but they all help the process of learning and growing.
Flexigrow – designed by experienced small-business experts for small-business owners – offers expertise in empowering businesses to grow and enhance their impact – from managing inventory and automating payments to organising schedules.
“We are dedicated to offering intelligent, user-friendly tools and expert support, aiming to create a world where every business has the knowledge, tools, and freedom to succeed,” explains Rynenberg. “We focus on streamlining business operations with smart solutions and professional guidance, leveraging our deep understanding of business challenges to provide tailored solutions.
“Our mission is simple: To give you more time to focus on what drives your business forward. We offer a flexible, user-friendly platform that helps you manage complex tasks more easily and faster, clearing the path to your success,” he continues.
“By helping businesses save time and reduce admin tasks, small-business owners can focus on what truly matters: Growth.”
