Why Some Entrepreneurs Stay Stuck at $100K
Scaling a business isn’t just about working harder; it’s about working smarter.
Many entrepreneurs hit a plateau at $100K and wonder why they can’t grow beyond that level. They try to push through by putting in more hours, launching more products, or even underpricing their offers. But here’s the hard truth:
🚫 What got you to $100K won’t get you to $1M.
🚫 And what got you to $1M won’t get you to $10M.
Each level of business requires different skills to break through. If you’re struggling to scale, it’s not because you’re not working hard enough; it’s because you need to develop the right skill set for the next stage of growth.
So, what exactly are these skills? Let’s break it down.
$100K: The Skill of Grit and Determination
When you’re just starting out, grit and determination are the most important skills you can develop.
This is the phase where hustle matters the most because you’re still figuring things out, wearing multiple hats, and working directly with clients. Many entrepreneurs in this stage:
✅ Sell services (coaching, freelancing, consulting)
✅ Rely heavily on word-of-mouth marketing
✅ Feel like they have to do everything themselves
💡 Key Lesson: At this stage, your ability to push through discomfort and take action—even when things feel uncertain—is what will get you to your first $100K.
🚀 How to Break Through:
- Focus on sales above all else (Don’t build a perfect website—just sell!)
- Improve your offer and pricing to ensure profitability
- Start thinking about scalability: How can you remove yourself from every sale?
🎯 Your Next Goal: Shift from selling time to selling results.
$1M: The Skill of Planning and Consistency
Once you’ve hit $100K, hustle alone won’t take you further.
A big mistake entrepreneurs make is assuming they just need to work harder to hit $1M. But there aren’t enough hours in the day to 10x your effort, so you need to change your approach instead.
What separates $100K earners from $1M earners?
✅ Planning ahead: Successful entrepreneurs map out their launches and sales cycles months in advance
✅ Volume & scalability: They don’t rely on 1-on-1 services; they create scalable products (courses, memberships, group coaching)
✅ Consistent marketing: They aren’t just selling when they feel like it; they have a system in place
💡 Key Lesson: At this stage, you need to treat your business like a system, not just a passion project.
🚀 How to Break Through:
- Create a quarterly sales plan (Not just “sell when I feel like it”)
- Develop scalable offers (e.g., digital products, memberships)
- Use automation & outsourcing to remove yourself from low-value tasks
🎯 Your Next Goal: Shift from working IN your business to working ON your business.
$10M: The Skill of Data and Leadership
Scaling from $1M to $10M requires a completely different mindset shift.
Most entrepreneurs at this level aren’t working harder: they are working smarter by using data-driven decision-making and strong leadership skills.
The Two Key Skills at $10M:
1️⃣ DATA:
- You can’t just “hope” sales will grow. You need to track and analyze numbers (conversion rates, ad costs, audience size)
- Successful 8-figure CEOs know their KPIs inside out and optimize based on data
2️⃣ LEADERSHIP:
- You can’t scale to $10M alone. You need a team
- Instead of doing everything, you must lead, delegate, and set the vision
💡 Key Lesson: CEOs at this level aren’t in the weeds of their business. They are focused on growth, leadership, and strategy.
🚀 How to Break Through:
- Track your numbers and analytics. Revenue alone isn’t enough
- Build and lead a team. You should NOT be the bottleneck in your business
- Focus on long-term brand positioning instead of short-term launches
🎯 Your Next Goal: Shift from “What do I need to do?” to “Who do I need to hire?”
Why Most Entrepreneurs Stay Stuck (and How to Fix It)
The reason many entrepreneurs struggle to scale is because they try to stay in their comfort zone.
❌ A $100K entrepreneur wants to “do more” instead of planning better.
❌ A $1M entrepreneur wants to “work harder” instead of hiring a team.
❌ A $10M entrepreneur wants to “control everything” instead of trusting others.
The truth is, each level of business growth requires you to let go of old habits and embrace new ones.
✅ You don’t have to figure it all out alone: successful CEOs have mentors, coaches, and masterminds.
✅ You don’t have to work 100 hours a week: you just need the right strategies.
✅ You don’t have to burn out: you just need better systems and leadership.
Take Action: Get My Free CEO Bottleneck Guide 🚀
Are you trying to scale from $100K to $1M but feel stuck?
I've created a free guide that outlines:
✅ The most common bottlenecks entrepreneurs face at each stage
✅ The skill shifts you need to scale faster
✅ Actionable steps to remove roadblocks in your business
📌 Grab your free CEO Bottleneck Guide here: fastforwardamy.com/bottleneck
Or DM me “Bottleneck” on Instagram, and I’ll send it to you directly.
The faster you remove the roadblocks, the faster you scale. If you’re serious about scaling, this one decision could change everything.
🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode now to hear the full breakdown of how I grew from $100K to $1M.
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