By Brett Farmiloe

Kudos to entrepreneurs who run microbusinesses—companies with zero to nine employees and the majority of businesses in America. Compared to enterprises with large payrolls and resources, it requires tremendous wisdom and strategy to build and grow a company with few to no employees.

We spoke to 14 founders and CEOs on how to succeed in a microbusiness. From believing in your business vision to avoiding “shiny object syndrome,” follow their advice to build your own successful microenterprise.

How to grow a microbusiness

1. Believe in your business vision

“I believe that for microbusinesses to really succeed, the most important thing is to believe in what you’re doing. You might need to adapt and pivot along the way, but it’s that burning desire to succeed and build something of your own that keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going. In the world of entrepreneurship, especially when you’re just starting a microbusiness, being half-hearted or lacking inspiration is just asking for trouble.

“When things get hard, which they always do, it’s really helpful to be working on something you believe is meaningful. For us, we didn’t start The Page because we were experts in home improvement and DIY—actually, it was the opposite. We saw that traditional online directories weren’t really helping people improve their homes and just offered a huge list of tradespeople with reviews that didn’t really convince us. We thought there had to be a better way to find trustworthy tradespeople and contractors. That’s how our business started—with the belief that we could really help our target audience!

“What keeps me going is knowing that what I do has an impact on others, and I’m lucky that so many of our readers and clients have told me that I’ve made a difference for them. And that’s probably the biggest reason why I’m still here and why our microbusiness is still doing well.”

—Henry Brook, The Page

2. Think big

“The best advice for working in (or running) a microbusiness is to forget its size and manage it as if it’s a big company with hundreds of bells and whistles. If you treat the company as a microbusiness, you’ll always play small or keep dismissing questions, problems, or tackle situations from a small perspective.

“Even worse, microbusinesses may look the other way with finances, running their books, or simply strategizing since they’re too ‘small’ to think about big strategies. That’s the worst you could ever do. As long as you think small, you’ll stay small. Despite our company’s small size, we already have certain systems in place that allow us to scale higher or even employ tens of people in the future without having to overhaul our entire procedure.

“Thanks to these systems, we can scale at any time, so my recommendation is to stop thinking and playing small, even if the company is tiny.”

—Viktoria Krusenvald, Wellness Patron

3. Specialize and dominate your niche

“Small business owners naturally seek inspiration from the giants in their industry. The problem with this approach is that these mammoths have huge budgets, an established market, and different strategies for success. As a microenterprise, you need to choose a product niche and become successful in it before you even consider diversifying. Even Amazon started by just selling books.

“Daniel Priestley, the author of
Entrepreneur Revolution, says, ‘When somebody Googles your name, the first page of results is a clear indication of how the world sees you. Is it clear what you do? Is it clear what you are good at? . . . Can they find testimonials? This is important stuff.’

“Regardless of how you choose to promote your business, ensure you rank well for your own brand and send a clear message as to what your niche is, what problem you solve, and how you solve it. Potential clients will trust a specialist far more than a generalist. What’s more, you can charge more as a specialist, excel at what you do, and become an established authority in your own right.”

—Martin Woods, Indigoextra

4. Prioritize exceptional customer service

“In the world of microbusinesses, where the team is tiny but the dreams are big, there’s one golden rule that stands out: keep your customers over-the-moon happy. It’s like this—imagine your business as a tiny boat in a vast ocean. Your customers? They’re the wind in your sails. Without them, you’re just floating aimlessly.

“When you’re running a microbusiness, every single customer is like a VIP guest at a small dinner party. You’ve got to make sure they’re getting top-notch service or products, because if they’re not feeling it, they won’t come back. And in a small business, repeat customers are your bread and butter. They’re the ones who keep the lights on and the cash flowing.

“So, the secret sauce? It’s all about building those solid, happy customer relationships. When they’re happy, they not only come back, but they also bring friends. And in the microbusiness world, that’s the kind of growth that can take you from surviving to thriving.”

—Will Hawkins, Digital Business

5. Focus on revenue generation

“From my experience, having built three startups, one of the most critical weekly tasks is focusing on revenue. Most businesses fail because they don’t have enough revenue to cover their expenses. So, knowing when you are above the line that you set for revenue helps to ensure that you don’t have to stress about where the next dollar is coming from and how you’ll pay payroll.

“Additionally, paying yourself first ensures that you have the money you need for yourself and your family because you can probably cut other expenses or postpone those expenses if you can’t pay them this month.”

—Jonathan Duarte, GoHire, Inc.

6. Break big goals into micro goals

“While I’ve evolved from a microbusiness, I still remember the time I was there all too well. My advice for people in this situation who want to make it is this: break your large goals into smaller ‘micro goals.’ Big goals can seem daunting and may result in nervousness or restlessness. Breaking down these seemingly insurmountable challenges into smaller, more manageable pieces will keep everyone focused and moving toward your core objectives.”

—Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner

7. Become a big fish in a small pond

“Deeply cater to your local community. With my business, we had the potential to position ourselves as a Canadian or North American brand, but we focused on becoming the number-one mattress brand in Toronto. We decided it would be better to be a big fish in a small pond.

“Our strategy involved giving back to the community and working with nonprofit organizations and charities in Toronto to provide comfortable sleep solutions for those in need. We also collaborated with local for-profit institutions to address their sleep-related needs. Our marketing efforts were locally focused, leveraging referral mechanisms to promote word-of-mouth. We eventually went viral in Toronto. This localized focus can create a strong, loyal customer base that drives growth and sustainability for your microbusiness.”

—David Owen, Dozy

8. Build a strong support system

“When you are working as a small team or by yourself, there is no one else to rely on but yourself. This means that any challenges or obstacles that come your way are solely your responsibility to overcome. And trust me, there will be many challenges and obstacles in the process of building a successful microbusiness.

“That’s why having a strong support system is crucial. This can come in many forms—from family and friends, who believe in your vision and provide emotional support, to mentors and advisors, who can offer valuable insights and guidance. It’s important to surround yourself with people who understand the demands and challenges of running a microbusiness, and who can offer support and encouragement when you need it most.”

—Paul Manley, Halo Health Clinic

9. Hire the best staff

“In my opinion, hiring the best possible people is key to rapid growth. With hardworking and committed employees who are invested in the success of our business, we’re basically setting the stage for ongoing growth. Each team member’s unique skills and dedication directly contribute to our efficiency and ability to innovate. Additionally, delegating tasks effectively frees up time and energy, enabling our seniors and executives to focus on high-priority work. This not only allows our business to perform optimally but also fosters a collaborative work environment.”

—Precious Abacan, Softlist

10. Avoid “shiny object syndrome”

“When you’re running a microbusiness with limited resources, it’s super important to keep your eyes on the prize. That means avoiding ‘shiny object syndrome.’ Basically, don’t get distracted by every new tool or trend that pops up. It’s tempting, sure, but staying focused on what you set out to do is key.

“For instance, if your main goal is to boost online sales, pouring time and money into an unrelated side project just because it’s trendy can derail you. You don’t have to dominate every social media channel either—find one or two where your target audience hangs out and master them to the best of your ability. Focus on growing what already works instead of constantly switching to trying new things.”

—Juliet Dreamhunter, Juliety

11. Utilize your core competencies

“As a solopreneur who mostly runs the company on my own, I’ve learned the importance of knowing my core competencies in a microbusiness setting. My main strength lies in coding, which is crucial for maintaining smooth and efficient operations. While I manage the technical side, I outsource marketing and writing to specialists, keeping the business lean yet effective. Sticking to my expertise and delegating other tasks is vital for maintaining quality and consistency. I maintain control over the most critical aspects of my business.

“If you apply your key expertise to your own business, you will stand out. Again, there’s no guarantee that you will ‘make it,’ but your chances will triple.”

—Lucas Wyland, Steambase

12. Wear many hats

“One of my first jobs was as a copywriter/content writer at a startup with around six people. We were on a tight budget at the time, so we couldn’t hire more people. Fortunately, I had experience in multiple industries—I wrote ad copy, but I also knew how to run SEO and PPC campaigns, as well as program web applications. All these skills came in handy because I was effectively the copywriter, head of marketing, and one of the programmers at my company. So, if you want to succeed with a microbusiness, being proficient in multiple skills is a must.”

—Scott Lieberman, Touchdown Money

13. Be flexible and develop a strong network

“For tiny enterprises, adaptability is key. Being flexible allows microbusinesses to quickly modify their plans, product lines, or methods of operation to meet changing customer needs. Adopting an adaptable culture helps small organizations stay competitive despite their limited size by promoting creativity and speedy decision-making.

“Building a solid network and ties within the sector is also essential. Microbusinesses can gain a great deal from alliances, teamwork, and utilizing the knowledge of people in their network. This network facilitates growth and resilience in a changing corporate environment by providing access to resources, expertise, and support.

“In the end, the key to success in the microbusiness sector is the capacity for adaptation and the development of strong interpersonal bonds.”

—Matt Little, Festoon House

14. Secure funding for growth and innovation

“While not every microbusiness requires financial backing, obtaining funding can significantly enhance your chances for success. It provides the necessary resources for growth and innovation, propelling a viable business concept forward.

“For our startup, the $3.75 million we received in equity financing has been very important. It will enable our platform to introduce a new sandbox feature, streamlining workflow management and granting access to new standalone document and image data extraction APIs. We’ll also use some of this funding to grow our team.

“I can’t say it enough: getting funding can really increase a small business’s value and show potential partners, customers, and future investors how credible you are.”

—Lucas Ochoa, Automat

About the Author

Post by: Brett Farmiloe

Brett Farmiloe is the founder and CEO of Featured, a platform where business leaders can answer questions related to their expertise and get published in articles featuring their insights.