Monica Bradley, Founder and Managing Director of MB Associates, believes in thinking big and business growth. She talks about how to scale a business and what has worked for her.
When I first started MB Associates, my initial aim was simply to do what I love, helping people buy a home or an investment property. I didn’t want to work for anyone else and always wanted to make my own choices about my work hours.
However, as time went on, I started getting more recommendations. Past clients would tell their friends, family, and colleagues about the company. The word spread fast, and before I knew it, I was facing a new challenge; I couldn’t personally handle all the enquiries coming in.
That was my reason for growing the business. I didn’t want to say no to people who needed help. I realised that if I could recruit the right people and build a strong team, we could serve more clients without compromising on the high standards we had become known for in the local community.
If you’re a businesswoman thinking about taking your business or career to the next level, before you even think about growth, map out where you want your business to be. Decide on your definition of success. It’s not just about revenue; it’s about the culture you want to create and the type of clients you want to attract.
Build a Values-Driven Culture
At MB Associates, I’ve tried to create a values-based culture. Our company handbook outlines exactly what we stand for, honesty, integrity, professionalism, and above all, putting our clients first.
We share these values with every new member of staff, and we reinforce them in everything we do.
Structure is Everything
As your business grows, you’ll quickly realise that you can’t do it all yourself. One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was how to delegate effectively. It can be tough, as I still enjoy direct contact with my clients. I feel as passionate about being a mortgage adviser as when I first started, but as a company owner, I have to step back and look at the big picture.
Understand the Difference Between Growth and Scaling
There’s a big difference between growing a business and scaling one. Growth usually means adding new resources – more people, more money, more effort to generate more revenue.
Scaling, on the other hand, means increasing revenue without a significant increase in costs. For example, you might automate a process, email a larger audience, or streamline your client journey to serve more people with the same level of input.
In the early stages of your business, you wear all the hats and do everything, but sustainable growth requires a mindset shift. Instead of asking, ‘What else can I do?’ ask, ‘What needs to be built, so I don’t have to do it all?’ Block regular time in your calendar to explore three key things: strategy, systems, and structure.
Scaling starts with repeatable systems. Automate repetitive tasks. Create standard operating procedures. The more structure you have, the more your business can function independently of you.
Choose one area of your business (such as client onboarding) and write down each step in the process. Look for automation opportunities.
If your revenue depends solely on your time, growth will always be limited. Transition to offers that can serve more people without more hours. In my business, I’ve widened the range of services we offer.
I started out as a mortgage adviser for residential mortgages, but after recruiting a later life adviser and a commercial lending specialist, we now offer equity release and commercial loans for businesses. Depending on the nature of your business, you could also explore recurring revenue through memberships or retainers.
Identify your most valuable offer and ask yourself how you could deliver it to ten or 100 people at once.
You can start with part-time help or contractors, but the key is to delegate outcomes, not just tasks. Empower team members to take ownership. Surround yourself with people who align with your values and can grow with your vision.
If you’re not sure where to start, list three tasks you do that someone else could handle better. Begin by delegating one this month.
As your team grows, so must your leadership. Build systems for accountability, reporting, and communication. Empower decision-making across the team. Leadership is not about control, it’s about enabling. Overall, you should seek to work on the business, not just in it, and block out time for big-picture thinking. Always consider where you want to go. Analyse what’s working and what you would like to happen next.
More Information:
MB Associates has been serving clients locally in Surrey and nationwide for over 20 years. It has offices in Cheam, Sutton, and Kingston. To arrange a free mortgage consultation, call 020 8652 5240 or email info@mbassociates.net
You can visit the website at: https://mbassociates.net/