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Grow Smarter, Not Just Bigger: Introducing Scale-Up Academy for Service Business Owners

  • connections6
  • May 5
  • 4 min read

Updated: May 13

Scaling a service business from six to seven figures is a wild ride. You start out focusing on getting clients, doing great work, and building a name for yourself. And then one day, you realize you’ve built something real:

✅ Revenue is in the high six figures

✅ Your team is growing

✅ You’re busy


And yet… something’s off.


You’re working harder than ever but not making more money. You’re hiring more people, but your plate feels even fuller. The tools, systems, and habits that got you here? They’re not enough to get you there.


service providers

Why It’s So Hard to Scale a Service Business

After working with dozens of professional service firms—marketing agencies, law firms, consultants, creative shops, accountants—we started seeing the same pattern over and over again.


Businesses would hit $500K and grow steadily… then stall out.

Revenue would plateau.

Profit margins would shrink.

The CEO became the bottleneck.

And decision-making became a daily guessing game.


The truth? The shift to 7 figures isn’t about more sales—it’s about smarter systems.


Between $500K and $1M, the game changes.


You don’t just need more clients—you need better insight into how your business runs, where your money goes, and how your team operates.It’s not just top-line growth. It’s bottom-line efficiency.


That’s how Scale Up Academy was born.


It Started as a Video…

Originally, this was going to be a video. A little something for our newsletter readers—a behind-the-scenes look at how we help our clients scale intentionally.


But as we started outlining it, we realized: The questions we hear from firm owners every day deserve more than a quick walk-through.


Questions like:

  • What does growth mean for the business and the owner?

  • How can the CEO stop being the bottleneck?

  • Which systems are quietly breaking behind the scenes?

  • How do you scale without sacrificing profit—or peace of mind?

  • And most importantly: How do you build a business that doesn’t take over your life?


That’s when we knew—this couldn’t just be me talking into a camera. We know too many smart, experienced people who have walked this path. So we decided to bring them together to share their knowledge.


What You’ll Learn

On June 13, 2025, we’re hosting a free half-day virtual summit for service providers who are stuck in the messy middle of growth.


The goal? To help you build the infrastructure—financial, operational, and leadership—that supports your next chapter.We’ve designed the sessions around four core pillars that every scaling firm needs to master:


1. Vision + Strategy

Growth without direction leads to burnout. We’ll help you zoom out, clarify your goals, and turn your vision into a practical strategy that guides daily decisions. Learn how to set priorities that align with your long-term goals—so you're not chasing every shiny opportunity that pops up.


You’ll learn:

  • How to define a scalable business model

  • The framework for prioritizing growth initiatives

  • How to lead with clarity instead of reacting to chaos


2. Finance + Profitability

Revenue doesn’t equal sustainability. We’ll teach you how to read your numbers like a CEO, spot inefficiencies, and build financial systems that support decision-making—not just tax season.


You’ll learn:

  • The difference between revenue growth and profit growth

  • How to segment income streams and evaluate profitability

  • What financial metrics actually matter at your stage


3. Team Building

Hiring isn’t the answer to every problem. We’ll walk through how to grow a team you trust, structure roles to reduce bottlenecks, and create accountability without micromanaging. This is about shifting from doer to leader—and bringing your team along with you.


You’ll learn:

  • How to design a team structure that supports your goals

  • What to delegate—and how to do it without dropping the ball

  • How to foster a culture of ownership and initiative


4. Operations + Systems

Scaling without systems? That’s a recipe for chaos. We’ll help you streamline your workflows, standardize how work gets done, and implement tools that actually support your team—without over-complicating everything.


You’ll learn:

  • How to identify and document critical workflows

  • What to automate (and what still needs a human touch)

  • How to simplify operations without sacrificing quality


You’ll walk away with a clear, customized roadmap that you can actually implement—not just theory or inspiration. This is the foundation for intentional, profitable growth that doesn’t rely on hustle alone.


Why It’s Free

We know this level of insight usually costs thousands—and we’re not knocking that. But too many firms get stuck simply because they don’t have access to the right support at the right time.


That’s why we created this.


To give you the tools, strategies, and clarity you need now—before the cracks get wider or burnout takes hold.


If you’re between $500K and $5M in revenue with a small-but-mighty team of 2–10, this is for you.


Because working harder isn’t the answer.


Knowing your numbers, owning your role, and building with intention is.


🎓 Ready to Scale on Purpose?

Register for Scale Up Academy —our free, virtual summit designed to help service-based business owners like you grow smarter, not harder.



👋🏾 We’re Little Fish Accounting, a firm that goes beyond the numbers to provide concierge-level care. Our advisory services enables our clients to make strategic decisions for their business, achieving big results with small teams. Interested in learning more? Check out our suite of service offerings to see if we're a good fit for your needs



DISCLAIMER: We are accountants but we aren't your accountant. For tailored guidance on your individual accounting and tax matters, it's best to consult with a professional. They can provide personalized advice that suits your unique situation.

 
 
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