1 Early Growth
This stage is where you move from buying yourself a job to actually running a business. Most people never get to this stage and end up trading time for money. They also never make more than $75,000 a year. (If you do these things, you will have started to create a real business.)
2 Harnessing the Horsepower
This is a breakout stage where your business starts to move out of adolescence and start to take some real market share from competitors. Your customers grant you some exclusivity and you have had to make some changes to grow profitably. (If you do these things, you will help to create some “mental shelf space” in your clients’ minds.)
3 Changing of the Guard
This is a critical stage in a business where many sell or simply close. The best run companies have created value that others can see and are willing to pay a premium while betting on the future. (If you do these things, you will ensure passage to an elite level that few companies achieve.)
4 Dynasty
This is the stage where the business has gone beyond the founder and success has been created again and again through multiple generations of leadership. Enduring values and drive to deliver success for your clients has set you apart. (If you do these things, your legacy will be preserved and your brand will become iconic.)
