Stuck in Business? Here’s What to Check to Scale Up
Jakarta, VIVA – Starting a business during university or immediately after graduation is increasingly appealing to young people. A 2022 SMERU study revealed that 73% of young people are interested in starting a business. Additionally, social media and digital platforms allow products to be marketed within social circles without requiring a physical store upfront.
However, having a product and securing the first customer is just the beginning. Greater challenges often arise once the business is operational. This phase frequently determines the direction of a young entrepreneur’s venture: whether it remains at the same scale or develops into a more serious and sustainable enterprise.
Michella Ham, CEO & Founder of Skin Game, said building a business requires significant commitment as every decision impacts future growth. “Running a business is like having a child that needs full dedication. We must understand what the business needs. A wrong step can prevent it from scaling up. Therefore, entrepreneurs need resilience, a willingness to learn, and not hesitate to seek advice from more experienced individuals,” she said, quoted on Saturday, 30 May 2026.
So, what are the signs that your business is running but hasn’t truly scaled up? Here are three things to watch out for.
Customers are present, but capital is continuously depleted to fulfil subsequent orders. For some young entrepreneurs, incoming revenue is entirely used up for production and fulfilling future orders. As a result, they have limited scope to increase stock, improve packaging, expand promotions, or broaden their market. At this stage, additional capital is crucial to ensure the business not only continues but also grows.
Product is selling well, but not ready for expansion. A product may sell well within a campus or community setting, but may not be ready to reach a wider market. To scale up, young entrepreneurs need to test not just product appeal, but also pricing, quality consistency, production capacity, delivery readiness, and marketing strategies for new customers. With this foundation, the business will be better equipped for sustainable growth.