--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we focus on substance over size…" description: "\"“If we focus on substance over size, sustainability over consumption, we can create a solo business that is efficient and profitable. This may seem ent..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/liesha-petrovich-15428_business_if-we-focus-on-substance-over-size-susta_2044887.jpg" --- # If we focus on substance over size, sustainability over… ![“If we focus on substance over size, sustainability over consumption, we can create a solo business that is efficient and profitable. This may seem entirely conceptual (and it is), but changing your philosophy from “Bigger is Better” to “Business Edited” will allow you more freedom, flexibility…” quote by Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/liesha-petrovich-15428_business_if-we-focus-on-substance-over-size-susta_2044887.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/liesha-petrovich-15428_business_if-we-focus-on-substance-over-size-susta_2044887.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/liesha-petrovich-15428_business_if-we-focus-on-substance-over-size-susta_2044887.jpg) > ““If we focus on substance over size, sustainability over consumption, we can create a solo business that is efficient and profitable. This may seem entirely conceptual (and it is), but changing your philosophy from “Bigger is Better” to “Business Edited” will allow you more freedom, flexibility, and profit. Living Business Edited You may want to grow your business into a thriving company. And that’s a great goal. But the philosophy can be the same. Create a business based on substance over size. Bigger is not better. Become an expert in efficiency and embrace the less stuff, less overhead philosophy. Here are a few examples of how to live Business Edited: Focus on a niche instead of trying to do everything for everyone (think small target market over large target market) Get rid of paper – no one reads brochures! Embrace technology that helps you integrate and organize (think iPad over PC) Choose sustainable and local whenever you can Create a leaner office space Choose dual purpose items Don’t purchase “stuff”  – purchase only what you truly need Minimalism”” [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prioritizing substance over size creates efficient, profitable, and sustainable businesses. **In simple terms:** Focus on quality, not size. Key Takeaway Adopt a lean, purpose‑driven business model. Themes efficiency minimalism sustainability Mood practical optimistic Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - startup planning - product development - office design - budgeting Key Concepts lean management value creation resource optimization Questions to Reflect On - How will you measure substance? - What minimal changes can you make now? A Different Perspective Larger scale can sometimes bring economies of scale. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Productivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productivity/) [Target market](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/target-market/) ## Related quotes > [We live in this business where we've got to do what we have to do - play professional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-rubio/we-live-in-this-business-where-we-ve-got-to-do-what-we-have-to-do/) [Ricky Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-rubio/) > [“Whatever your passion, make sure you hold unto a philosophy that is bigger and greater than you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/whatever-your-passion-make-sure-you-hold-unto-a-philosophy-that-is/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [When we want to have our own style of living, it is nobody's business but ours. What we do in private is our private…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/when-we-want-to-have-our-own-style-of-living-it-is-nobody-s-business/) [Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/) > [Is it hard to make a living in show business? Yeah.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-maron/is-it-hard-to-make-a-living-in-show-business-yeah/) [Marc Maron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-maron/) > [No matter what the role, you're trying to do the impossible - make a living in show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-gallagher/no-matter-what-the-role-you-re-trying-to-do-the-impossible-make-a/) [Peter Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-gallagher/) > [When you create a business, you create something that improves the life of your customer, of another person, maybe of ten people, of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-zane-pilzer/when-you-create-a-business-you-create-something-that-improves-the/) [Paul Zane Pilzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-zane-pilzer/) > [I'll be a mentor to those who want to create a business, product or service and aren't exactly sure how to do that. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-mangano/i-ll-be-a-mentor-to-those-who-want-to-create-a-business-product-or/) [Joy Mangano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-mangano/) > [I think that's exactly what Silicon Valley was all about in those days. Let's do a startup in our parents' garage and try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-isaacson/i-think-that-s-exactly-what-silicon-valley-was-all-about-in-those/) [Walter Isaacson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-isaacson/) > [Brains are far more important than money or connections. Everyone and anyone can create a business out of their bedroom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/brains-are-far-more-important-than-money-or-connections-everyone-and/) [Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/) > [I've always thought legal addictions are a great way to create a business. Starbucks is a wonderful example.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nolan-bushnell/i-ve-always-thought-legal-addictions-are-a-great-way-to-create-a/) [Nolan Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nolan-bushnell/) > [I thought, 'If I can create a business to promote martial arts, that'd sure be a lot of fun.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-coker/i-thought-if-i-can-create-a-business-to-promote-martial-arts-that-d/) [Scott Coker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-coker/) > [I want to get my MBA. I want to create my own business. When I'm finished with football, I want a seamless transition to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-rosen/i-want-to-get-my-mba-i-want-to-create-my-own-business-when-i-m/) [Josh Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-rosen/) > [You can create a business, choose a name, but unless people know about it you're not going to sell any products.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/you-can-create-a-business-choose-a-name-but-unless-people-know-about/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [“In essence, innovation is the use of something that is new and unique, and you are able to create its business value.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-zhu/in-essence-innovation-is-the-use-of-something-that-is-new-and-unique/) [Pearl Zhu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-zhu/) > [We always wanted to create a business that makes a difference in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-neumann/we-always-wanted-to-create-a-business-that-makes-a-difference-in-the/) [Adam Neumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-neumann/) ## More by Liesha Petrovich > [“Here’s a link to the Google Docs version of this plan: Your Business Contingency Plan on Google Docs Emergencies”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/here-s-a-link-to-the-google-docs-version-of-this-plan-your-business/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [“Instead of hiding under the covers, let’s do something about it. Maybe you’re not feeling this way today, but you might tomorrow. So now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/instead-of-hiding-under-the-covers-let-s-do-something-about-it-maybe/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [“Don’t Reinvent the Wheel You may feel like you’re discovering new, uncharted territory as you build your business. However, business is not new. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/don-t-reinvent-the-wheel-you-may-feel-like-you-re-discovering-new/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [“2. Create an extremely specific client policy This is something you should do BEFORE you have problem clients. Every business is different, but think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/2-create-an-extremely-specific-client-policy-this-is-something-you/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [“The key to creating a lifestyle business is to develop timesaving strategies and systems, so you don’t have to work your fingers to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/the-key-to-creating-a-lifestyle-business-is-to-develop-timesaving/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [“Creating a plan of action is what helps me reduce stress. List the top reasons your business stresses you out. Then find a way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/creating-a-plan-of-action-is-what-helps-me-reduce-stress-list-the-top/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [“Your Business Contingency Plan Something crazy is always happening. Just because you’re a business owner doesn’t mean you’re immune to this crazy ride called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/your-business-contingency-plan-something-crazy-is-always-happening/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [“Get Organized Already! In a world where the average person looks at their phone 150 times a day, it’s time to embrace organizational technology;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/get-organized-already-in-a-world-where-the-average-person-looks-at/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [“Nothing will get better unless you’re willing to be honest with yourself. If you’re willing to take a long, hard look at your current…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/nothing-will-get-better-unless-you-re-willing-to-be-honest-with/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [“When you’re balancing your business and family, you’ve got to become a Master of Time. Or a Time Lord – which is even better.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/when-you-re-balancing-your-business-and-family-you-ve-got-to-become-a/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [“Emergencies Vs. Standard Stress Life can punch you in the gut when you least expect it. You can’t possibly prevent those types of life-altering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/emergencies-vs-standard-stress-life-can-punch-you-in-the-gut-when-you/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [“Some days will seem to fly in a happy blur of productivity and excitement (and hopefully profit!). Other days will make you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/some-days-will-seem-to-fly-in-a-happy-blur-of-productivity-and/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [“we all have the same 24 hours a day. No more, no less. The only way to find more time for your business is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/we-all-have-the-same-24-hours-a-day-no-more-no-less-the-only-way-to/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [“Stress: The Positive Attitude Killer Yesterday”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/stress-the-positive-attitude-killer-yesterday/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [“Minimalism is a lifestyle that helps people question what things add value to their lives. By clearing the clutter from life’s path, we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/minimalism-is-a-lifestyle-that-helps-people-question-what-things-add/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) [Explore all 42 Liesha Petrovich quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) ## More Business quotes > [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. A company that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-mcmillon/companies-with-cultures-that-celebrate-diverse-opinions-and-encourage/) [Doug McMillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-mcmillon/) > [You can laugh at me, but I understand show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/you-can-laugh-at-me-but-i-understand-show-business/) [Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [I'm a business first and foremost so whatever my business is, it's separate from my personal. It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/) [Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/) > [Nobody has a crystal ball, and part of evolving a business plan is to say, 'I might have said we're going left, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-kavanaugh/nobody-has-a-crystal-ball-and-part-of-evolving-a-business-plan-is-to/) [Ryan Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-kavanaugh/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [ “\[S\]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-the-possible-irrelevance-of/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [“Some say the Earth is angry Because he wants no company; I say the Earth is angry Because he lives alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/some-say-the-earth-is-angry-because-he-wants-no-company-i-say-the/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [It's not just that families can't buy a home or start a business without some savings tucked away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cooper/it-s-not-just-that-families-can-t-buy-a-home-or-start-a-business/) [Jim Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cooper/) > [I'm not into business at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-mercury/i-m-not-into-business-at-all/) [Freddie Mercury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-mercury/) > [I've long believed one of the mainsprings of our own liberty has been the widespread ownership of property among our people and the expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-long-believed-one-of-the-mainsprings-of-our-own-liberty-has-been/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) [Browse all 39,016 Business quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If we focus on substance over size, sustainability over consumption, we can create a solo business that is efficient and profitable. This may seem entirely conceptual (and it is), but changing your philosophy from “Bigger is Better” to “Business Edited” will allow you more freedom, flexibility, and profit. Living Business Edited You may want to grow your business into a thriving company. And that’s a great goal. But the philosophy can be the same. Create a business based on substance over size. Bigger is not better. Become an expert in efficiency and embrace the less stuff, less overhead philosophy. Here are a few examples of how to live Business Edited: Focus on a niche instead of trying to do everything for everyone (think small target market over large target market) Get rid of paper – no one reads brochures! Embrace technology that helps you integrate and organize (think iPad over PC) Choose sustainable and local whenever you can Create a leaner office space Choose dual purpose items Don’t purchase “stuff”  – purchase only what you truly need Minimalism”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Liesha Petrovich" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/if-we-focus-on-substance-over-size-sustainability-over-consumption-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Business" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/if-we-focus-on-substance-over-size-sustainability-over-consumption-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/liesha-petrovich-15428_business_if-we-focus-on-substance-over-size-susta_2044887.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/liesha-petrovich-15428_business_if-we-focus-on-substance-over-size-susta_2044887.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/liesha-petrovich-15428_business_if-we-focus-on-substance-over-size-susta_2044887.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If we focus on substance over size, sustainability over consumption, we can create a solo business that is…” — Liesha Petrovich", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Liesha Petrovich", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“If we focus on substance over...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/if-we-focus-on-substance-over-size-sustainability-over-consumption-we/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/if-we-focus-on-substance-over-size-sustainability-over-consumption-we/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```