Steve (not his real name) grew his construction business 167% in 12 months.
From £750K to £2M.
He was aiming for £1.5m, but actually hit £2m, beating his projections by 33%.
On paper, he looked like a hero.
But when I asked him about his profit margins, he said something that stopped me cold:
“I’m working 80 hours a week. If I’m being honest, I don’t actually know whether I’m making any money or not.”
Think about that. £2M in revenue. No idea about profit.
And here’s the terrifying part – this is more common than you think.
It’s not just about not knowing your numbers.
It’s about what happens when your revenue explodes faster than your systems can handle.
If you’re growing fast and don’t have proper visibility, you could be losing money on half your jobs and wouldn’t know until it’s catastrophic.
When Growth Outpaces Control
I see this pattern constantly with construction businesses between £500K and £3M.
They achieve explosive revenue growth while their financial infrastructure remains at startup level.
Here’s what Steve had:
For 19 years, Steve built without a foundation.
When growth accelerated, the cracks became chasms.
Why This Happens
1. Revenue Can Mask Deteriorating Margins
When money’s flying in, it feels like you’re doing well.
But if your margins are shrinking on each job, fast growth actually accelerates your path to a cash crisis.
Steve could have been:
Without visibility, all of these look the same - a busy business with money moving around, but no proof of profit.
2. You’re Making Million-Pound Decisions on Gut Feel
When Steve evaluated new opportunities, he didn’t know what he could actually afford.
Every decision was “stabbing in the dark” – his accountant’s words.
That’s not leadership. That’s gambling.
3. Operational Chaos Takes Over
Without systems, Steve was trapped in a cycle of overwork.
He clocked 70–80 hour weeks doing the same things over and over:
It’s not just inefficient – it’s unsustainable.
And it had real personal costs:
That’s not growth. That’s survival.
The Real Cost of Delay
Steve delayed fixing this for 2–3 years.
His business coach had been telling him:
“You need a new accountant.”
His answer?
“I’ve just sat on it and sat on it.”
What did that delay cost him?
The cost of the above missed opportunities could easily run into £££’s of pounds.
The Turning Point
Eventually, Steve hit his limit.
In his own words:
“It’s been 19 years of running a business with no foundation, and it’s now got to a point where it’s like, I’m almost drowning in it.”
That admission changed everything.
He finally stopped patching symptoms and started building systems.
The Fix
When Steve finally admitted he was drowning, that was the shift.
He didn’t have a fix overnight – but he stopped pretending everything was fine.
For the first time, he’s now rebuilding his financial foundations properly: getting monthly visibility, sorting his systems, and working towards full control.
He’s still in the thick of it, but now there’s a plan – and that’s the difference.
Because once you decide to face the numbers, everything changes.
I’ll share an update on Steve’s journey in a few months – because what matters most now is that he’s finally building on solid ground.
The Lesson
When visibility is missing, revenue becomes a misleading headline.
You can look successful and still be bleeding profit.
You can’t scale what you can’t see.
You can’t improve what you can’t measure.
You can’t lead strategically while operating blind.
Steve grew 167% without visibility.
That wasn’t success – that was luck.
And luck runs out.
What To Do If You’re in the Same Boat
If you’re making £500K+ and Steve’s story hits home, here’s where to start.
This Week: The Visibility Tests
The Profit Visibility Test
Answer these now:
If you can’t answer at least three, you’re flying blind.
The Decision Test
Think about your last major decision – hiring, new kit, new contract.
Did you have data, or just a “feeling” based on the bank balance?
If it’s the latter, you’re gambling.
This Month: Get Systems in Place
1. Monthly Management Accounts
At minimum:
Essential for businesses turning over £500K+ – non-negotiable.
2. Basic Job Costing
Track the following costs:
Do it for every job. Patterns emerge fast.
3. Weekly Financial Pulse
Every Monday (10 mins):
Ten minutes. Huge clarity.
Next 90 Days: Build the Infrastructure
If your current accounting setup isn’t giving you visibility, it won’t suddenly improve.
You’ve outgrown it.
Steve learned that the hard way.
He tried to “fix” what was broken – it didn’t work.
The breakthrough came from starting fresh:
That’s when growth became controlled – not chaotic.
Bottom Line
Steve’s business grew by 167%, but for years, he was guessing.
He doesn’t need more sales.
He needs visibility.
And as he builds that, everything will change – stress, control, and profitability.
So here’s the truth:
If you can’t see what’s happening in your business financially, you’re not scaling.
You’re drifting.
We will never spam or sell your info. Ever.