The Last Word - Building Impact: Why Sustainable Growth Beats Forced Scale
tl;dr
Sustainable Scaling: Prioritize structured, thoughtful growth over rushed expansion to avoid burnout and build lasting success.
Strategic Foundations: Use targeted storytelling to build trust, educate audiences, and create meaningful connections before scaling.
Balanced Ambition: Achieving impact requires vision, patience, and breaking goals into actionable steps for steady, lasting growth.
Lasting success requires sustainable growth, clear strategy, and patience over rushed scaling, argues entrepreneur and advisor Jory Des Jardins.
We often hear the phrase “go big or go home” when it comes to startups. But without a clear, structured path to growth, that ambition can quickly turn into burnout. For every tech company promising to change the world, there are countless others lost in the noise—because they neglected one key ingredient: a solid roadmap for impact.
I’ve seen it firsthand. During my time growing BlogHer, we not only helped build one of the first influencer networks, but we also laid the foundation for how brands and creators engage with one another. But it wasn’t about jumping on every shiny new trend; it was about understanding the space, building trust, and operationalizing our growth sustainably. We didn’t just scale for the sake of scaling; we built something with staying power. We stayed focused on our mission, understanding that impact requires a slow, methodical build, not a fast-paced sprint.
That’s the first lesson for any startup founder: don’t get caught up in the hustle of unchecked growth. After a funding round, many entrepreneurs rush to spend on flashy marketing or hire expensive PR firms. They forget to ask, "What’s the first step?" The secret is sequencing: understanding when to push, when to scale, and how to build credibility before blowing your budget.
Many founders think that growth is a one-size-fits-all process. Whether it’s a disruptive AI tool or a new blockchain product, too many founders want to tackle everything at once. The real strategy is breaking down your goals into manageable chunks and understanding who you need to reach, and when. Impact comes from targeted, intentional steps—not throwing money at a problem and hoping it sticks. Scaling too quickly without the necessary foundation leads to failure in the long run.
A key component of this is storytelling. Too often, I see founders jump to market without first figuring out how to explain their product in a way people will understand and trust. It’s not about selling; it’s about educating and building a relationship. It’s about showing your audience not just what your tech can do, but why it matters. When done right, storytelling isn’t just a marketing tool—it’s the foundation of building meaningful trust and impact. It’s about creating an emotional connection with your audience that goes beyond the product or service you provide.
Impact doesn’t happen overnight. For founders, it’s about balancing ambition with realistic, actionable steps. Scale can’t be forced. It’s a journey that requires both vision and patience. And above all, it’s about creating something that lasts. Start small, build steadily, and let the results speak for themselves. When done thoughtfully, the impact will follow.
More From Issue 25: Celebrating Impact
