You know in over 19 years of business I've been asked several times how I would define if a business is deemed a "success".
You'll come across all kinds of theories and mathematical equations to "test" whether your business is considered a "success" based on different criteria and achieved landmarks.
These are all constructive and useful indicators, but I guess for me the standard of "success" is measured not in finances and turnover, not in the amount of staff or car you drive, but in your level of contentment and your ability to provide a good standard of living for you and your family.
Both of these of course are subjective and each one of us has different levels of both "contentment" and what constitutes "a good standard of living" but maybe think about letting that be the scale we use as a measure.
Small business owners are some of the toughest, hardest working people I've met, they've had to be. Knowing that your business, your livelihood and often your well being is totally dependant on YOU can be overwhelming and is certainly not for the faint hearted.
Little steps and small triumphs each day are what keep us going, I love my work, I love the people I work with and clients I work for.
We all do this together, and when a little acorn of an idea you had almost 20 years ago, is now a sturdy and proud oak tree, who's branches stretch out to so many people and who's roots are solidly in the ground, that to me.. is success.