After years of economic whiplash, supply chain disruptions, rising interest rates, and unpredictable consumer demand, a clear shift is underway in the small- and mid-sized business landscape. Growth at any cost is no longer the goal. Profitability, resilience, and disciplined execution have taken center stage. Business owners are learning a hard truth. Revenue growth without margin control is not success; it is a risk. The End of Growth for Growth’s Sake For more than a decade, low interest rates rewarded aggressive expansion. Hiring ahead of demand, overstocking inventory, and scaling operations quickly were common strategies. When capital was cheap, inefficiencies were easy to hide. That era is over. Today’s environment punishes businesses that grow without discipline. Inflation, higher borrowing costs, and tighter underwriting standards mean that every dollar must work harder. Lenders and investors are no longer impressed by top-line growth alone; they want proof of sustainable prof...