How To Tell You've Made It As A Business, And How To Keep Growing
When you start a business, success can feel like a target where the goalposts just keep moving further and further away. In the early days, your goals might be things like getting your first customer, or reaching 100 followers on Instagram, etc, but as you get further down the line, "making it" starts to look and feel a bit different.
Instead of it being these smaller milestones, it's more being stable, achieving recognition in the field and receiving consistent income that proves you can make it in the long term. Once you've done this, you might feel like you've made it, but it's important you don't just stop there. Instead, take this as your sign to keep going and moving onto bigger and better things for your company.
Here are some clear signs that your business is on the right track, and how to continue that momentum.
You have reached the point of becoming VAT registered
One sign that your business has reached a new level is becoming VAT registered. For many businesses, this happens when turnover reaches the VAT threshold, but some choose to register voluntarily as they grow. Being VAT registered often signals that your business is operating at a more established, professional level, particularly when working with other businesses or larger clients.
It can also indicate that your systems, pricing, and financial management are strong enough to handle additional responsibility. To keep growing after this point, it's important to build VAT into your pricing strategy, stay organized with your accounts, and use this milestone as motivation to pursue bigger opportunities and long-term scalability. Ensure you look up how to register for VAT and ensure you do everything by the book to make it easier in the short and long term.
You have consistent demand and repeat customers
One of the strongest indicators that you've made it as a business is consistent demand. You are no longer chasing every lead or relying on one-off sales to get by. Instead, customers come back to you time and time again, recommend you to others, and actively seek out your products or services.
This repeat business shows that you're delivering real value and meeting expectations, which creates a stable foundation for future growth. To keep growing, continue nurturing these relationships, listening to feedback, and improving your offering so customers always have a reason to return.
Your processes and systems run smoothly
When you've made it as a business, day-to-day operations feel more manageable and less reactive. You have systems in place for invoicing, customer management, stock, or project delivery, which allows you to focus more on strategy and less on firefighting. Smooth processes free up time and mental energy, making it easier to spot new opportunities for growth. As your business evolves, regularly reviewing and refining these systems will help you scale without becoming overwhelmed.
Making it as a business isn't something that's defined by a single moment, however it's defined by a series of milestones that show stability, credibility and confidence. By recognizing these signs, such as having a good number of repeat customers, smooth operations and becoming VAT registered, you should know you're doing great and acknowledge how far you've come.
Also make sure you use it as a reminder that there is still room to grow. By building on these foundations you can continue to do better, make more money and enjoy a flourishing business for years to come.
