Six tips to boost business growth in 2025

Approximately 2.8 million new CNPJs (Corporate Taxpayer Registry numbers) commenced operations by the first half of 2024, according to Sebrae data. To assist these new entrepreneurs, Marcelo Lombardo, CEO and co-founder of Omie, offers six pieces of advice focused on scaling companies in a structured manner through strategic alliances and the intelligent use of capital.

Lombardo, an influential figure in Brazilian entrepreneurship, founded Omie in 2013 and has raised over 690 million reais in investments. In November, Marcelo was the winner in the Emerging category of the 27th Entrepreneur of the Year edition, and in December, he was awarded by Forbes magazine in the Small Giants category. See the tips below:

1 – “If you want to receive investment, ask for advice”

For entrepreneurs seeking investment, Omie's CEO highlights this approach as a way to engage the investor before actually requesting capital. He explains that by asking for the opinion of a potential partner, they will offer advice to make the business grow and, in the end, may suggest that the entrepreneur get in touch when initiating a funding round.

2 – “Seek strategic partnerships”The entrepreneur can benefit from infrastructure and network contacts to optimize resources. By sharing costs, knowledge, and even distribution channels, it is possible to increase efficiency and expand the reach of the product or service. “Sometimes, your biggest advocates are not your customers, but the people who influence them. In Omie's case, the partnership with accountants was important to boost the number of clients for the Omie ERP, since the professional is essential in the decisions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),” states Lombardo.

3 – “Always be attentive to opportunities”

Caution is necessary, but sometimes, overthinking can hinder entrepreneurial vision. In a competitive and constantly evolving world, opportunities arise at any moment, and being prepared to recognize them can be decisive. The secret lies in believing in intuition, developing the ability to analyze the scenario with a strategic mindset, and being able to see beyond difficulties.

“With this mindset, it will be easier to accept complexities and understand that what others see as a headache, you can transform into an advantage,” Lombardo adds.

4 – “Bet on a scalable model”Betting on this strategy can also leverage the business's territorial expansion, especially for entrepreneurs seeking long-term sustainable development. “One of the milestones in Omie's growth was entering the franchise sector, which allowed us to expand geographically more quickly and efficiently, totaling over 130 franchised units in various regions of Brazil,” says Lombardo.

5 – “Study and always stay updated”

Investing in courses, participating in events, and staying updated, including on legislative changes, are fundamental actions. The entrepreneur must constantly seek to study diverse areas such as finance, people management, and emerging technologies. “Training is important not only for individual growth. When one wins, everyone wins,” Lombardo concludes. In this sense, the CEO also emphasizes that in markets where awareness is low, the best approach is to educate first and sell later.

6 – “Master sales first”

It is important to remember that a single great product, on its own, will not win the market. To scale successfully, building an organization with a strong culture and mastering the science behind sales is equally essential for business founders. At Omie, the focus in this area is on identifying customer needs and making a personalized approach to close deals efficiently.