Think Big!

When I started CCAW, I didn’t have a clear idea of where I was heading. It was the great recession and I was happy to still be in business. Eventually, I met entrepreneurs who were aiming for $1 million in annual revenue. I adopted that as my goal. We surpassed it in a few years and went on to reach eight figures. In hindsight, I was thinking too small in the early days. We were operating in a $40 billion market. If we captured 1% of it, our annual revenue would be $400 million.

I thought small because of what I’d been exposed to. I didn’t personally know entrepreneurs who’d built massive companies, so it didn’t occur to me that I could do it, and anyway I had no idea how to go about it. Sure, I read about it, but I didn’t know anyone who’d lived it. As I built relationships with other entrepreneurs, that changed. I watched their companies grow from two people to tens of million in revenue with hundreds of employees. My eyes were opened to the possibilities and my thinking broadened. What once had seemed farfetched now seemed achievable.

Times have changed. Tons of information about building huge companies is accessible to anyone. Even so, I still encounter talented entrepreneurs who aren’t thinking big. It’s my belief that thinking small can prevent you from reaching your full potential.

If you’re considering entrepreneurship, think big. Don’t focus on what could go wrong. Instead, think about how big your company could be if you’re right and things go your way! You may not know how you’ll get there, but that’s OK. If you have a compelling vision, you’re on the right track. Believe it or not, the world is full of talented people who want to be part of something great and can help you figure it out along the way. Think big!