How Growing Up is Like Scaling Products

Lately, I’ve had the privilege of working with a whole host of companies that range from late startups just on the cusp of demonstrable product-market fit, all the way to multi-product portfolios about to break into true enterprise status.

Every company has their own challenges and opportunities based on their target segment, their approach, their product strategy and their personnel. But the more companies I work with, patterns start emerging. Their situations are different, but still reflections of very similar stories.

While I’m doing this, I’m transitioning from my 30s to my 40s and in doing so, I find myself reflecting a lot on how human life stages are surprisingly similar to company growths stages.

Here’s my attempt to capture the human journey paired together with the evolution of a business.

Part 1: Teenage to 20s / Seed Stage to Startup.

How Growing Up is Like Scaling Products: Part 1

How is growing up through your teens and 20s similar to scaling a product in the seed and start-up stages?

Part 2: 30s / Early Growth Stage

How Growing Up is Like Scaling Products: Part 2

How is growing up in your 30s is similar to scaling a product after product-market fit?

Part 3: 40s / Late Growth Stage

How Growing Up is Like Scaling Products: Part 3

How is growing up in your 40s is similar to maintaining scale after the boosters come off.

Part ?: 50s / Enterprise Stage and Beyond

Unfortunately I am in no way qualified to comment on either side at this point in my life.

I am still leaving the heading here, hoping that around 2030 I will be ready to continue the series. Please reach out and remind me once 2029 rolls around.