Mentorship or Burnout? How to Determine If Expanding Your Service-Based Business is Right for You

As your service-based business grows, you might feel pressure to expand. Popular growth strategies like offering mentorship, taking on interns, or hiring more staff can help drive revenue—but is expansion the right choice for you? While growing your business has its advantages, it can also lead to burnout if it’s not managed carefully. Here’s how to assess whether expanding your business through mentorship or hiring aligns with your goals and capacity.

1. Assess Your Capacity and Desire

Before making any decisions, take a step back to evaluate whether you truly have the capacity and desire to grow your business. Ask yourself:

• Am I genuinely excited about mentoring or supervising others?

• Do I have the time and energy to train and manage new team members without sacrificing service quality?

• Does this fit within my long-term business vision?

If the idea of mentoring excites you and supports your broader business goals, expansion might be the right move. However, if you’re already feeling stretched thin, growing your team could lead to burnout.

2. Consider the Benefits of Mentorship or Supervision

Expanding your business through mentorship or supervision offers numerous benefits:

• Increased Revenue: You can monetize mentorship and training programs, creating an additional revenue stream.

• Workload Distribution: Properly trained team members or interns can take on tasks, freeing you to focus on high-value activities in your “zone of genius.”

• Industry Authority: Mentoring others enhances your reputation as a leader in your field, attracting more clients and opportunities.

Weigh these benefits against the potential costs of time, energy, and resources. Expansion should bring you fulfillment, not added stress.

3. Set Boundaries to Avoid Burnout

If you decide to expand, it’s crucial to set boundaries from the start. Be clear about your expectations for yourself and your mentees or employees. Determine how much time and energy you can realistically dedicate to training and managing others, and ensure you're not sacrificing your personal well-being for the sake of growth.

Also, consider whether your processes are scalable. Do you have systems in place to efficiently onboard and manage new team members? Clear processes can help alleviate stress and streamline growth.

4. Start Small

There’s no need to jump headfirst into expansion. Start small by mentoring one intern or offering supervision to just a few people. This allows you to gauge whether you enjoy the added responsibility and if it aligns with your goals.

If mentoring feels rewarding, you can gradually take on more. If it feels overwhelming, you can reevaluate without overcommitting.

5. Stay Aligned with Your Vision

Most importantly, make sure that expanding aligns with your long-term vision for your business. Growth for growth’s sake can lead to burnout if it doesn’t fit into your larger goals. Reflect on how mentorship or expanding your team fits with your personal and professional aspirations, and ensure it supports your overall vision.

By carefully assessing your capacity, setting clear boundaries, and starting small, you can determine whether expanding your service-based business is the right move for you. When done intentionally, mentorship and supervision can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s essential to grow in a way that aligns with your values and prevents burnout.