# Better is Better than Bigger

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/startup-therapy-919044/better-is-better-than-bigger
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/startup-therapy-919044/better-is-better-than-bigger.md
Podcast: [Startup Therapy](https://stenobird.com/podcast/startup-therapy-919044)
Published: 2025-10-27T17:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9dfbf177
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/9dfbf177/36d22bd8.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/startup-therapy-919044/episodes/better-is-better-than-bigger
Duration seconds: 2139

## Resource

Is getting bigger always better for startups? This episode dives into the hidden costs of scaling up and how growth can sometimes make a company worse, not better. Ryan and Will discuss the trade-offs between size and quality, using examples like Google and PayPal. They explore how rapid growth can diminish company culture, slow down decision-making, and introduce inefficiencies. The conversation also covers personal experiences in startup growth, emphasizing the importance of optimizing for better rather than just bigger. Whether it's adding more staff or raising capital, they advocate for making decisions that enhance company quality and founder life satisfaction. Resources: Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy Website https://www.startups.com/begin LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/ Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroter https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/ Ryan Rutan https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/ What to listen for: 00:14 The Myth of Bigger is Better 00:43 Examples of Companies That Grew and Suffered 02:00 The Hidden Costs of Scaling 05:08 Personal Experiences with Growth Challenges 13:01 The Importance of Freedom and Quality 17:18 The Hidden Costs of Growth 17:58 Balancing Growth and Quality of Life 20:39 Defining Non-Negotiables for Better Business 22:33 Scaling with Soul: Maintaining Company Culture 24:41 Quality Over Quantity: Making Strategic Decisions 28:07 The Power of Saying No 31:15 Sticking to Your Values for Sustainable Growth

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## Transcript

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