Most businesses never jump the hurdle from small to big.. or even medium. There are many factors involved, but the business owner is a major stumbling block. Having the right combination of ambition, vision and determination is quite rare. From the business owners I have met that have made that giant leap, here are their characteristics:

• Discipline. This is the most important and is central to everything else, it influences everything from the day-to-day details right up to the 'big picture'.
• Vision. They know where they are going and have a clear picture in their mind about what their business will look like in the future.
• Nerve. In every business there are times that difficult decisions are made and big risks are taken. In times like these, courage and conviction are a must.
• Ability to build a team. Many business writers speak of 'getting the right people on the bus'. From the outset these business owners see their businesses as big and always look for people who can do things better than themselves.
• Strong values. Business values are the foundation for everything, from marketing, hiring, finances and management. Knowing what they are and communicating them clearly to everyone produces significant outcomes.
• Obsession to detail. Its the 1%'s that make the difference between good and great and there must be discipline to maintain standards day after day
• Unending ambition and drive. It takes a lot of energy and persistence to make things happen. These people are pigheadedly determined.
• Learning. As the business grows you need to grow faster. Learn learn and learn some more. See what other businesses bigger than you are up to and how they do things, then adopt them  for your own situation. 
• Unending ambition and drive. It takes a lot of energy and persistence to make things happen. These people are pigheadedly determined.
• Learning. As the business grows you need to grow faster. Learn learn and learn some more. See what other businesses bigger than you are up to and how they do things, then adopt them  for your own situation. 

Dr Warren Harmer