What Comes First in Business Growth: Team or Sales?
Hey Leader, Let’s have a real conversation. You’re building something meaningful. You’re wearing multiple hats, managing fires, chasing growth… And somewhere in between, this one question keeps popping up:
“Should I first focus on generating sales or build a team to support the business?”
Sounds familiar? It’s one of the most asked questions in my 1:1 calls with founders — especially those leading small teams under 50.
Let me share how I look at this…
🐣 Chicken or Egg? Let’s Reframe It.
You know how people say: “Chicken pehle ya anda?” Same confusion happens in business.
Do I sell first so I can afford to pay my team? Or do I build a team first so I can grow sales faster?
Here’s my honest view — both are interlinked. You can’t scale sales without delivery. You can’t deliver at scale without some form of support. So the question isn’t “this or that.” It’s:
How can I build a sales process AND a support system in parallel — without breaking myself in the middle?
🎯 You Don’t Just Need More Sales… You Need More Capacity.
Let’s say you push hard on sales. You manage to get 4-5 clients this month. Nice win.
Now ask yourself — can you actually serve them all… with quality, on time, without burning out?
If the answer is no — then you don’t have a sales problem. You have a capacity problem.
You need support. That support could be a person. A freelancer. A software. A system. Even tools like a CRM or LMS — they count as “team extensions” in today’s digital world.
The goal is simple: You need freedom from being the only engine.
🧱 Build Sales Process ➜ Then Build Support Around It.
Here’s a practical flow I recommend to most business owners:
- First, define a clear sales process — one that’s repeatable.
- Then ask: “Who or what do I need to keep this process running even if I’m not around?”
- Start with 1-2 support people. You don’t need an army.
- Build SOPs. Create templates. Set up automation where you can.
- Now you’re not alone. Now your business can breathe.
And when your business can run without you — That’s where scale begins.
💡 A Quick Personal Share
When I started my firm, I was doing everything. Sales. Delivery. Training. Client servicing. You name it.
But there was a limit. Then I slowly started bringing in people — not a big team — just the right people. Today, I’m not the only one doing training. Not the only one handling clients. And guess what? Clients are happier. We’re growing faster. And I have space to think, innovate, and breathe.
Final Thought
If you’re stuck thinking: “Let me earn more, then I’ll hire someone.”
Flip the thinking. Ask: “How can I bring the right kind of help, so I can earn more and grow smarter?”
You don’t need a big team. You need a smart, simple, lean support system that frees you to lead.
This newsletter is especially for you if you’ve ever asked: “Sales पहले करूं या Team बनाऊं?”
If you ever want to explore the right strategy for your business — let’s jump on a consultation call. Sometimes, one real conversation can save you 6 months of confusion.
Book a one-on-one call with me today: Click here to step up your leadership game and build a culture of resilience, trust, and impact.