Introduction
Most small business owners hit a point where growth slows — not because they’ve lost their edge, but because they’ve unknowingly fallen into a few common traps. In this post, we’ll explore five business growth mistakes that quietly hold you back, why they happen, and what to do instead to scale your business with clarity, focus, and momentum.
Many business owners look at me sideways when I tell them that the easiest time to grow a business is the first year.
“Easy?” they protest. “Shane, it was anything but easy! I worked ridiculous hours, ate more fast food than I care to remember, and lived off adrenaline and coffee!”
And they’re right — the first year isn’t easy.
But it is the easiest time to grow. There’s a difference.
The Honeymoon Period
Cast your mind back to those early days. You remember the thrill, don’t you? Every sale feels like a small miracle. You have endless energy, laser focus, and a sense that anything is possible.
You’re driven, you’re hungry, and you’ll talk to anyone who’ll listen about what you do. The phone rings, and you’re on it. A lead appears, and you chase it. Growth comes naturally because you’ve got one job: get business in the door.
Then success arrives — and with it, new problems. You’ve got clients to serve, admin piling up, and far less time to win new work. Without noticing, you shift from building a business to running one.
And that’s when growth stalls.
The buzz fades.
And if you’re not careful, your business becomes the very job you wanted to escape.
Almost every entrepreneur hits this plateau. The good news? You can get past it. The bad news? You might not like what it takes.
Let’s look at the five most common mistakes that keep businesses stuck — and how to fix them.
Mistake #1: Easing Off the Throttle
When the business finally pays the bills, it’s tempting to relax. You’ve earned a breather, right?
The problem is that momentum is fragile. When you ease off, everything slows — including growth.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m a big believer in family, freedom, and balance. But I also believe in earning them. In my early years, I worked hard — really hard — but I was intentional about how I spent my time. I’d take afternoons off to watch my children play sports, then put in the hours later.
That balance was only possible because I kept my foot down long enough to scale.
So, here’s the truth: you can rest later. Build the machine first — then it can run without you. Take your foot off too soon, and the business will stall before it ever reaches cruising speed.
Mistake #2: Climbing the Wrong Mountain
There’s a fine line between grit and foolishness.
You’ve heard the mantra: “Winners never quit.” Absolute nonsense.
Winners quit all the time — they just quit the wrong things to focus on the right ones.
If your business has plateaued, don’t assume time will fix it. Sometimes, you’ve simply run out of “low-hanging fruit” — the easy customers who were desperate for a solution. The next phase of growth usually requires a shift: a new offer, a refined niche, or a stronger value proposition.
The best business owners are learners. They watch, listen, and adapt. They pivot when the market changes.
Being persistent doesn’t mean digging in your heels — it means staying committed to the goal while being flexible with the route.
Mistake #3: Chasing Shiny Objects
When growth stalls, many owners go hunting for quick fixes. A shiny new marketing system. An“expert” with a magic funnel. A silver bullet that promises to double your sales overnight.
Save your money.
There are no shortcuts to sustainable growth. Scaling a business takes strategy, systems, and stamina. Of course, outside help can be valuable — but only if it’s grounded in reality, not hype.
If someone promises guaranteed sales or instant success, that’s your red flag. Real growth comes from doing the hard thinking: understanding your customer, improving your offer, refining your systems, and mastering your numbers.
Shortcut seekers end up exhausted, broke, or both.
Mistake #4: Trying to Do It All Alone
This one’s personal. I’ve had coaches at every stage of my journey, and I still do today.
The truth is, you can’t read the label from inside the jar. A coach brings perspective — they help you see blind spots, challenge your thinking, and hold you accountable.
Yet too many business owners see coaching as an expense rather than an investment.
If you’ve never scaled before, get guidance from someone who has. Choose a coach who has walked the walk, not just talked about it online. Ask them what went wrong, what they learned, and how they overcame it.
The right coach won’t just give you answers — they’ll help you ask better questions.
Mistake #5: Building Inward-Facing Systems
Here’s one that really separates the good from the great.
Most businesses build systems to make their own lives easier — to track jobs, manage staff, or maintain consistency. That’s fine, but it’s only half the story.
World-class businesses build systems that make the customer’s life easier.
They obsess over the client experience — from the first enquiry to the follow-up after delivery. They make it simple to buy, simple to communicate, and simple to refer.
When mistakes happen (and they will), they own them. No excuses. No blame-shifting. They apologise, fix it fast, and keep the client informed. That’s how loyal customers — and referrals — are created.
Remember: quality gets you paid once. Experience gets you paid for years.
In Summary
Every business hits a flat patch — it’s part of the climb. The difference between those who scale and those who stall comes down to choices.
Keep your foot on the pedal.
Stay curious, not stubborn.
Forget shortcuts.
Invest in coaching.
And always — always — put your customer experience front and centre.
Because business growth doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens by design — and by doing the work most won’t.
If you’re feeling stuck or unsure what to tackle next, I invite you to take the first step. Let’s explore what’s possible for your business through business coaching. Book a free 15-minute coaching call with me at TimeWithShane.com
