In Short:
– Raffy Sgroi explains that growth is sustainable and requires a strong team, unlike short-term spikes from trends.
– Businesses should focus on systems and leadership for lasting success, ensuring they aren’t reliant on the owner’s presence.

Raffy Sgroi from Sage Advice highlights a crucial distinction in business performance: the difference between temporary spikes in results and genuine, sustainable growth.

True growth is defined by a business’s ability to scale sustainably, maintaining quality and stability without added stress. It is not simply about becoming faster, bigger, or chasing rapid expansion—a mindset often associated with hustle culture that rarely lasts.

In contrast, a spike represents a short-lived increase in results, typically driven by seasonal promotions, viral trends, or one-off marketing campaigns. While spikes can boost numbers temporarily, they do not equate to long-term success. Genuine growth, on the other hand, is marked by consistent demand increases, measurable improvements such as higher conversion rates, and a stable foundation for the future.

Financial metrics

Many businesses make the mistake of attempting rapid scaling without a solid team or infrastructure in place. To transform a spike into sustained growth, it is essential to strengthen the team, ensure the repeatability of successful initiatives, and maintain a close understanding of financial metrics—including cash flow and revenue—rather than relying solely on an accountant’s reports.

Sgroi recommends analyzing business performance over 90-day cycles and regularly monitoring key metrics. Assessing operational capacity before taking on new expenses is critical, as unchecked expansion can create unnecessary stress and inefficiencies.

Ultimately, true business success lies in the ability to operate independently of the owner’s daily involvement. Sustainable growth supports a healthy work-life balance and is grounded in strong leadership, disciplined processes, and strategic planning.

Raffy Sgroi can be found at sage.au or on LinkedIn for further insights into building scalable, enduring businesses.

In this episode of Cannabiz – In Conversation, host Ahron Young discusses the opportunities and challenges facing Australia’s rapidly evolving cannabis sector, balancing patient access with safety and accountability.

Australia’s medicinal cannabis industry is experiencing significant growth, with patient numbers rising rapidly in recent years. While the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) does not track exact usage data, around 1 million prescription approvals were issued in 2025, suggesting between 400,000 and 800,000 patients are now using medicinal cannabis. Oils remain the most commonly prescribed form, though gummies and dry herbs are becoming increasingly popular, particularly for patients managing chronic pain and anxiety.

Anecdotal evidence

Experts highlight both the potential benefits and risks of medicinal cannabis. Dr Priya Ayyar from Releaf Clinics notes anecdotal evidence of improved sleep and reduced reliance on traditional medications, but she also cautions that THC carries risks such as dependency and potential psychosis. Misconceptions about cannabis persist in the medical community due to gaps in training, underlining the importance of proper education for both doctors and patients.

Calls for regulatory reform are growing, aimed at enhancing transparency, patient safety, and care quality. Industry leaders—including Kristin Viccars from the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Australia (MCIA), Dr Orit Holtzman from Leura Wellness, Martin Lane from Cannabiz, and Dr Priya Ayyar—emphasise that better TGA data could form a national evidence database to track efficacy and inform policy.