Many startup stories of iconic brands sound a little like fairy tales. Each of these now global companies started with a few people and now employs thousands across the world. The untold story is about those who did not succeed. And there are plenty. More than two-thirds of startups never deliver a positive return to investors.

In fact, 23.2% of private sector businesses in the U.S. fail within the first year. After five years, 48% have closed. High inflation, high interest rates, a tight talent market and demanding investors don't make success easy. As CEOs like me set out to grow their businesses, they will need to constantly track economic conditions and consider the company's strategy, its value and its tolerance for risk amid a changing world.

While we can't be sure of every little detail that went into Apple, FUBU or Starbucks's scale-up journeys, we can be confident in one important element: Their founders grew their companies in effective ways, navigating the environment around them, reading the signs and acting accordingly. If you are an entrepreneur ready to take the next step for your business, here's how you can put one foot in front of the other and go from aspiration to ascent:

You already have a strong foundation for your company. The business is your baby, your biggest and brightest idea, and you've worked hard to give it the best start in life. But as organizations mature and grow, it's up to their leaders to ensure........

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