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Key Areas a Small Business CEO Should Focus On for Long-Term Success

Writer's picture: Simon ZrydSimon Zryd

As a small business owner, you wear a lot of hats—visionary, problem solver, leader, and sometimes even firefighter. The first 90 days of the year (or even your tenure as CEO) can set the tone for what’s ahead. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind, but the most successful business owners focus on key areas that drive long-term growth.



I’ve worked with countless small business owners in Denver, and one thing is clear: those who take a proactive approach, rather than just reacting to problems, are the ones who thrive. If you’re looking to scale, improve efficiency, and build a sustainable business, here are the key areas you should focus on.


1. Define Your Vision and Keep It Front and Center


One of the biggest pitfalls I see with small business owners is that they get so busy running the business that they lose sight of where they’re going. You need a clear vision—not just for yourself but for your team, your customers, and your community.


Here’s what I ask small business owners all the time:


🔹 What does success look like for you this year?

🔹 How will you measure it?

🔹 What are the three most important things you need to focus on to get there?


It doesn’t have to be complicated. I once worked with a Denver-based real estate broker who boiled it down to this: “I want to help 50 families find their dream home this year while creating more time for my own family.” That’s a vision you can act on!


Pro Tip: Write your top three business priorities on a sticky note and put them where you’ll see them daily. If an opportunity doesn’t align with those priorities, think twice before saying “yes.”


2. Build and Strengthen Your Key Relationships


Business is all about relationships. Whether it’s your team, your customers, or your network, the connections you build will drive your success.


🔹 Your Team: If you have employees, empower them! Micromanaging burns you out and limits growth. If you’re a solo entrepreneur, think about outsourcing or automating tasks that don’t need your direct attention.

🔹 Your Customers: Are you staying engaged with them beyond the sale? Personalized follow-ups, a quick check-in, or even a handwritten note can go a long way.

🔹 Your Network: One of the best things I did for my own business was getting involved in local networking groups. Network in Action Denver has been an incredible way to build relationships with other business owners who genuinely want to help each other grow. If you’re not actively networking, you’re missing out on huge opportunities!


Action Step: Reach out to one past client, one new prospect, and one referral partner every week. A simple check-in can open unexpected doors.


3. Know Your Numbers Like a Pro


I’ve seen way too many business owners ignore their financials until tax season—and that’s a recipe for stress. If you don’t know your numbers, you’re driving blind.


🔹 Cash Flow is King: How much money is coming in, and how much is going out? Can you cover expenses for the next three months?

🔹 Profitable vs. Busy: Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you’re making money. Are all your products/services actually profitable?

🔹 Plan for Growth: If you want to scale, do you have the financial foundation to support it?


One of my clients, a marketing consultant in Denver, realized after reviewing her finances that one of her service packages was taking up 60% of her time but only bringing in 30% of her revenue. She phased it out, doubled down on higher-value services, and increased her profits without working more hours.


Action Step: Schedule a 30-minute “money date” with yourself every week to review your financials. If you don’t know where to start, work with a bookkeeper or CPA.


4. Keep Your Customers at the Center of Your Strategy


Your business doesn’t exist without customers. But are you truly solving their problems, or are you just selling?


🔹 Identify Your Ideal Customers: Who are your best clients? What do they have in common?

🔹 Improve the Experience: How easy is it to do business with you? Is your website user-friendly? Do you respond quickly to inquiries?

🔹 Ask the Right Questions: Instead of “How do we sell more?” ask “How can we better serve our customers?”


I recently had a conversation with a Denver-based home remodeler who started asking every new client, “What’s the biggest frustration you’ve had with contractors in the past?” The answers helped him refine his process, stand out from competitors, and create a referral-worthy experience.


Pro Tip: Send a short survey to your best customers asking what they love about your business—and what you can improve. Their insights are gold.


5. Streamline and Eliminate What’s Not Working


One of the hardest things for business owners to do is let go of things that no longer serve them. Whether it’s an outdated system, a service that’s not profitable, or even a difficult client, clearing out inefficiencies makes room for growth.


🔹 Automate the Repetitive: Are you manually invoicing when you could be using an automated system?

🔹 Simplify Your Offerings: Are you spreading yourself too thin trying to serve everyone?

🔹 Cut the Clutter: What’s taking up time without delivering real results?

A local marketing firm I know was spending hours every week on cold outreach that wasn’t converting. They shifted to a referral-based strategy and saw better results with less effort. Sometimes, less is more.


Action Step: Make a list of tasks that drain your time and energy. Can you automate, delegate, or eliminate them?


6. Take Care of Yourself—So You Can Take Care of Business


Let’s be real—burnout is a huge issue for small business owners. You can’t grow your business if you’re constantly exhausted.


🔹 Set Boundaries: Not every email or phone call needs an immediate response.

🔹 Prioritize Health: Exercise, sleep, and mental well-being matter more than you think.

🔹 Schedule Thinking Time: Some of your best ideas will come when you’re not in the weeds of daily operations.


One of my mentors once told me, “You don’t have to hustle 24/7 to be successful. You have to be intentional.” That advice changed everything for me.


Pro Tip: Block off time in your calendar for non-negotiable personal time—whether it’s for family, exercise, or just unwinding. You’ll be a better leader for it.


Final Thoughts


Being the CEO of a small business is challenging, but by focusing on these key areas—vision, relationships, financial health, customer experience, efficiency, and self-care—you’ll set yourself up for sustainable success.


Now, I’d love to hear from you!What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing as a business owner right now? Drop a comment below or reach out—I’d love to chat.

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