The 13 Rules of Business for Building a Scalable, Profitable Company

When it comes to scaling a business, one of the biggest obstacles entrepreneurs face is their own mindset. Often, we feel like no one can do the job as well as we can, and while that may be true at times, this thinking limits growth. If you're serious about scaling your business, you must master the art of delegation and build systems to support your team’s success.

Here’s a breakdown of the 13 key rules to building a scalable and profitable business:

1. Delegation is Key to Scaling

As a business owner, you'll only grow as fast as your ability to delegate. Delegation requires leadership, communication, and building processes. One skill that will help is documentation—creating checklists and clear instructions for your team. Often, problems aren’t with people but with processes. If your business runs into issues, ask yourself, "Is this a people problem or a process problem?" Most of the time, it's the latter.

2. The 10-80-10 Rule

If you’re in a creative industry where you believe only you can do the work, it’s time to rethink that belief. The 10-80-10 rule is an excellent framework. Spend 10% of your time upfront ideating and setting the vision. Let your team do 80% of the execution, and then step in for the final 10% to polish the results. Be an editor, not an author.

3. Leverage Outsourcing

Sometimes, doing things yourself isn’t the best use of time. You could clean your house, mow your lawn, or run your errands—but outsourcing these tasks frees up your time to focus on growing your business. Leverage services that allow you to reclaim your time.

4. Stop Doing the Work—Hire Experts

Too many entrepreneurs get caught up doing tasks themselves. Don’t fall into this trap. For example, if you run a restaurant and your chef quits, your job is not to jump into the kitchen but to hire a new chef. Focus on solving problems by building systems and hiring the right people to run them.

5. Build a Business That Can Run Without You

When building your business, always aim to create a machine that can run without you. A business that doesn’t need your daily involvement is not only valuable but also scalable and sellable.

6. Empower Your Team

You don’t need all the answers, and you don’t need to do everything. The real power lies in empowering your team to step up. One of the smartest strategies is to train your team to own their roles fully. Your job as a leader is to build people—because people build the business.

7. Patience with Results, Impatience with Action

Be patient with results but impatient with action. Business success doesn’t happen overnight. It requires consistent effort over time. Too many entrepreneurs give up too soon because they expect results too quickly. Set a long-term timeline for success (e.g., 10 years), but ruthlessly focus on the actions you take daily.

8. Consistency is King

The key to success is being consistent over time. Every day, focus on taking small, effective steps that stack up. If you keep showing up and iterating, over time, your efforts will yield results. It's not about hitting a home run in one shot; it’s about loving the process.

9. Protect Your Reputation

Your reputation is one of your most valuable assets. It’s built on trust and the ability to deliver results. Reach and reputation are the pillars of your brand. A strong brand can command higher prices, gain partnerships, and open doors that would otherwise remain shut.

10. Go All-In

If you want to be the best, you must go all-in. Commit fully to your vision. This is where true excellence lies—deciding to be world-class in whatever you do. Warren Buffett didn’t become successful by chance; his reputation attracts opportunities because people trust his decision-making and values.

11. Set Clear Values

Define your values and let them guide decision-making, even when you’re not around. When your team knows your values, they can make decisions aligned with your vision. Consistency builds trust, and trust is what sustains your business through challenging times.

12. Embrace Integrity

Integrity shines through when things go wrong. It’s easy to maintain a positive image when everything is going well, but when problems arise, how you respond will define your business’s integrity. Customers appreciate businesses that uphold their promises, even when it's difficult.

13. Be Authentically You

You are your greatest asset. Focus on being authentically yourself and embracing your uniqueness. The more you embrace who you are, the easier it becomes to attract like-minded customers, clients, and team members. Shine your light, and you’ll attract the right tribe.