- Safwan AMM
- 20 October, 2025
The New Rules of Building 10x Business Value
Last week, I joined a business summit in our local town. One session really caught my attention — “How to make your business value ten times more in five years.”
As everyone listened, a person sitting beside me whispered with a smile,
“I’ve been running a small retail shop for seven years… but only today I realised what business value creation really means.”
That moment made me think deeply — many small and mid-sized businesses in Sri Lanka run daily operations, but very few focus on building long-term value.
Let’s explore how today’s successful brands do it — and what we can learn from them.
What Big Brands Teach Us About Value Creation
Across the world, even during tough economic times, big deals continue to happen. Brands like Rhode (Hailey Bieber’s brand), Versace, and Skechers were acquired for billions.
But these deals didn’t happen because they were famous — they happened because those brands had strong foundations.
They built three things that buyers value most:
Strong identity and emotional connection with customers.
Healthy profits per product (unit economics) instead of chasing only sales volume.
Clear long-term vision and financial discipline.
This means: value isn’t only about how much you sell — it’s about how much your brand is worth in people’s minds and in your balance sheet.
The Hidden Power of Brand Value
Think about a small local tea brand that begins packaging beautifully, adds a unique flavour story like “hand-picked from the hills of Haputale,” and promotes it online with a simple brand identity.
In two years, that same business could attract investors — not because they sell the most tea, but because they’ve built a brand that feels valuable, trustworthy, and different.
That’s business value creation.
The world has changed — investors and buyers no longer chase “fast growth” brands that burn cash.
They now look for:
✅ Authentic brands with loyal customers
✅ Sustainable profits, even if small
✅ A clear growth plan
It’s like someone wanting to buy a house — they’ll pay more for a solid home with a good foundation, not one that only looks beautiful outside.
Some growing brands followed these smart strategies and attracted strong investors:
Hero Cosmetics – started with one problem-solving product and built trust before expanding.
Rowing Blazers – stayed true to its unique preppy style and culture.
Summer Fridays – grew with social media authenticity and consistency.
They all had one thing in common — they created lasting value, not just quick sales.
Takeaway for Entrepreneurs
If you run a retail shop, salon, clothing store, or small manufacturing unit — don’t just aim for daily profit.
Start creating long-term value by:
* Building a memorable brand story
* Keeping your customers emotionally connected
* Maintaining clean financials
* Growing steadily with purpose
Even in Sri Lanka, buyers and investors are now looking for brands with strong roots.
The world may change, but one rule remains the same — great businesses attract great opportunities.
Final Thought
Whether you dream of expanding, partnering, or even selling your business someday, remember:
“Real business value is built quietly — through trust, quality, and consistency.”
Every entrepreneur, no matter how small, can start that journey today.
Because the real success story isn’t just making sales — it’s building a business that others want to buy into.
