Why do you want to grow your business?

Is it because you have a specific revenue goal? A family to support, or dreams to fulfill? Something you’re saving towards, like a house, or debt you’re paying off?

Or is it because you think you have to?

Growth as a loose, undefined concept is everywhere. We’re taught that it’s an economic imperative, and that as business owners, if we’re not growing, we’re dying.

But what happens when growth is causing the problems we’re facing, either collectively in the form of climate change, or personally in the form of health issues and burnout?

What if what we actually need is degrowth?

After finding herself pursuing growth for the sake of growth, holistic business coach Sarah M. Chappell ran right into a nasty surprise: deep burnout. Tune in to hear what Sarah learned about the burnout of scaling, why she’s excited by the idea of economic degrowth, and how it might apply to small business success.

TIME STAMPS

00:30—What is degrowth?3:40—What kind of business models are valued?7:10—Scalability and alienation11:48—The functions of work14:56—How to apply degrowth to small business

SOURCES

Ren Zatopek“Reversing the Freight Train” by Geoff Mann“The Precariat” by Guy Standing“The Precariat and Class Struggle” by Guy StandingAja Barber

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmchappell.substack.com