Growing a business beyond its initial success demands more than just a good product or service. It requires strategic planning, solid foundations, and the right connections. Dan Martella has spent two decades helping companies navigate this critical growth phase. As Director of Business Development for the Mountain West region at Bennett Thrasher, he offers practical insights for companies ready to scale but unsure how to build the necessary foundation for sustainable expansion.
Build Scalable Infrastructure Growth
You can’t build a skyscraper on a shed foundation. That’s basically what Dan sees companies trying to do all the time. “Growth without infrastructure leads to breakdowns,” he says. It’s not the most exciting part of business, but those systems and processes determine whether your growth sticks or falls apart. Most founders want to focus on sales and new markets – not on strengthening internal operations. Big mistake.
Dan’s worked with enough scaling companies to spot the pattern. “Companies that scale well have systems, processes, and reporting frameworks that grow with them,” he explains. Whether you’re looking at financial controls, operations, or compliance requirements, what worked at $1 million won’t work at $10 million. The companies that last don’t wait for things to break. They spot weak points early and fix them. “Start by identifying the friction points and investing in tools that give you visibility and control.”
Leverage Strategic Partnerships
The lone genius entrepreneur building an empire single-handedly makes for great movies. It makes for terrible business strategy. Dan puts it bluntly: “No one scales alone.” The partnerships you forge matter more than most founders realize. “The right partnerships – whether in banking, legal, tax, or capital – accelerate growth and help you avoid costly mistakes,” Dan notes. These aren’t just service providers; they’re potential game-changers if chosen wisely. Bad partnerships drain resources. Good ones multiply them.
Dan pushes companies to be pickier about who they work with. “Surrounding yourself with partners who understand your industry and growth stage is critical.” The right partners bring more than expertise. “They bring insight, open doors, and challenge your thinking in all the right ways.” That last part – having someone push back on your ideas – might be the most valuable and least appreciated benefit.
Work with a Trusted Advisor
Most businesses use their accountants wrong. They wait until tax time or until something breaks. Then they call in a financial expert to fix it. By then, it’s usually too late or too expensive to fix properly. “The best companies don’t wait for a problem to call their CPA firm – they work with advisors who help them see around corners,” Dan says. This proactive approach means having financial advisors who understand where you’re trying to go, not just where you’ve been. At Bennett Thrasher, Dan’s team specializes in this forward-looking approach. “We support growing companies with proactive tax strategy, transaction advisory, valuation, and long-term planning.” The difference isn’t just in services offered, but in mindset. “We don’t just check the boxes – we help you think bigger and scale smarter.”
Dan’s seen too many companies learn scaling lessons the hard way. The smartest ones build infrastructure before they need it, choose partners carefully, and work with advisors who help them avoid problems rather than just fix them. For companies ready to take their next growth step, Dan offers a simple invitation: “If you’re an emerging growth company looking to scale smarter, not harder, then let’s talk.” He’s particularly interested in leaders who understand the value of doing things right. “I’m always open to connecting with forward-thinking leaders who are ready to take their business to the next level.”
Connect with Dan Martella on LinkedIn and take the next steps.
