Success doesn’t have to mean “big.” Shape your business to fit your own vision and happiness, not someone else’s expectations.

Glenn Harper and Julie Smith discuss the age-old question: is bigger always better when it comes to business?

As they talk about the pressures entrepreneurs face to constantly scale and grow, Glenn Harper and Julie Smith explore why some of the best businesses intentionally stay small — focusing on profitability, purpose, and personal satisfaction over sheer size.

Together, they uncover the importance of quiet reflection, defining your own vision for success, and tuning out the noise from social media and peers.

Whether you dream of running a multinational company or a boutique operation, this episode will help you clarify your goals and find fulfillment on your entrepreneurial journey.

Here are 3 key takeaways for any business leader considering their next move:

Define Your Own Success - Don’t let external noise dictate your goals. Ask yourself what truly makes you happy and fulfilled in your business (03:00). Is it maximizing profits, impacting more clients, or maintaining flexibility and control?
Intentional Planning is Essential - Growth for growth’s sake isn’t always the answer. Carve out quiet time away from daily tasks (preferably on a mountain, according to Glenn Harper!) to reflect on the future you want and map a path to get there (02:19).
Scaling Requires Support - If growth is your goal, don’t go at it alone. Building a great team or hiring experienced consultants can make scaling more manageable and successful (01:31; 04:04).

This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.

FAQ's

Is it better for a business to stay small or try to scale up?

Glenn Harper and Julie Smith discuss that "better" depends on the entrepreneur's vision and goals. Some find more satisfaction and profitability by staying small, while others thrive by scaling up and building large teams 00:33 01:58. Ultimately, choosing the right path means assessing personal happiness and business objectives rather than blindly following growth trends.

How can entrepreneurs decide what size they want their business to be?

Glenn Harper recommends entrepreneurs spend quiet, uninterrupted time away from daily tasks to reflect deeply on what makes them happy and what they truly want their business to be 02:19 02:50. By tuning out outside noise and societal expectations, they can clarify their own definitions of success before committing to growth or staying small.

What steps should business owners take before scaling their company?

Before scaling, Glenn Harper suggests entrepreneurs clarify their vision, assemble the right team, and seek guidance from experienced consultants 01:26 04:04. He emphasizes that attempting to scale alone is very difficult, so learning from others can dramatically improve the process.

Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.

Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.

Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for success

Our clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.

Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.

Glenn Harper, CPA, is the Owner and Managing Partner of Harper & Company CPAs Plus, a top 10 Managing Partner in the country (Accounting Today's 2022 MP Elite). His firm won the 2021 Luca Award for Firm of the Year.

An entrepreneur and speaker, Glenn transformed his firm into an advisory-focused practice, doubling revenue and profit in two years. He teaches entrepreneurs to build financial and operational excellence, speaks nationwide to CPA firm owners about running their businesses like entrepreneurs, and consults with firms across the country. Glenn enjoys golfing, fishing, hiking, cooking, and spending time with his family.

Julie Smith, MBA, is a serial entrepreneur in the public accounting space. She is the Founder of EmpowerCPA™, Founder of PureTax, LLC, COO for Harper & Company CPAs Plus, and Co-host of the Empowering Entrepreneurs podcast.

Named CPA.com's 2021 Innovative Practitioner of Year, Julie led Harper & Company's transition to an advisory-focused firm, doubling revenue and profit in two years. She now empowers other CPA firm owners nationwide through consulting and speaking, teaching them how to run their businesses like entrepreneurs. Julie lives in Columbus, OH with her family and enjoys travel, coaching basketball, sporting events, and the occasional shopping spree.

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Brought to you by Harper & Company CPAs Plus

Running a business takes vision, grit… and the right financial partner. At Harper & Company CPAs Plus, we don’t just crunch numbers—we empower entrepreneurs. From proactive tax strategy and accounting to business advisory services, our team helps you keep more of what you earn and scale with confidence. Whether you’re launching, growing, or preparing for exit, Harper & Company is in your corner with expert guidance built for business owners like you. Visit www.harpercpaplus.com to book a complimentary discovery call today - or call us at 614-456-7222.

Brought to you by Harper & Company CPAs Plus