| Medium-size businesses account for over one-third of private-sector output and employ over one-third of employees across industries. However, current literature describing entrepreneurship and growth does not address the unique needs of medium-size businesses. Thus, studying sustainable growth that has occurred from small to medium-size businesses may reveal patterns and lessons learned that other entrepreneurs could adopt to reach similar outcomes. A business founder's vision may significantly impact whether an enterprise will grow and flourish or remain small and decline. Toward this end, the central research question of this study was as follows: How does the founder's vision impact business growth over time, leading expansion from small to a medium-size entity? To address this question, a qualitative study was conducted by sampling 10 medium-size business founders through in-depth interviews. Data analysis revealed four emerging themes that contributed to understanding the founder's sustainable growth vision as follows: casting vision, hiring quality employees, seeking growth opportunities, and innovating within a niche. Participants identified that vision was the most important element of their growth strategy in addition to hiring quality employees who can embrace the vision. Toward this end, this research provides insights to practitioners, founders, and investors to better understand sustainable growth. |
