Yes, $1 million in annual revenue is considered a significant achievement for a small business, often placing it in the top 9% to 10% of U.S. companies. This milestone suggests a sustainable, established business model that has moved beyond the startup phase, although it does not guarantee profitability.
A good range for small business revenue is typically between $100,000 and $1 million per year. However, revenue alone doesn't define success — profitability and sustainability are more important metrics to focus on.
If your business has achieved $1MM in revenue, congratulations on beating the odds (estimated by the SBA), which say that 30% of small businesses fail within the first year, 50% within five years and 66% during the first ten.
It defines small business by firm revenue (ranging from $1 million to over $40 million) and by employment (from 100 to over 1,500 employees). For example, according to the SBA definition, a roofing contractor is defined as a small business if it has annual revenues of $16.5 million or less.
Top Businesses to Start with Less Than N1 Million in 2025
However, we can make some generalisations about good profit margins: A net margin of 10% is generally regarded as a good profit margin for most business types, while 20% or higher is very healthy. A 5% net profit margin is regarded as low and indicates the business may be unsustainable.
Use earnings multiples.
A more relevant measure is probably a multiple of the company's earnings, or the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio. Estimate the earnings of the company for the next few years. If a typical P/E ratio is 15 and the projected earnings are $200,000 a year, the business would be worth $3 million.
As a rule of thumb, 5% is a low margin, 10% is a healthy margin, and 20% is a high margin. But a one-size-fits-all approach isn't the best way to set goals for your business profitability. First, some companies are inherently high-margin or low-margin ventures.
A common approach to estimating your business's value is the Earnings Multiple Method. Essentially this is Earnings times a multiple. For example, if a business earns $1 million per annum, and the multiple is 3 times, then the value is $3 million. This will then be adjusted to allow for Assets and working capital.
Investing your $1 million dollars with an eye toward generating passive income may very well be the best option for this money. However, rather than viewing your decision in a vacuum, I would recommend looking at the money in the context of your broader financial situation and longer-term goals.
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One of the most significant errors is not having a comprehensive wealth plan in place. Many investors focus solely on their investments and neglect the broader financial picture, including retirement planning, tax strategies, and estate considerations.
Mini-millionaires, whom Zumburn describes as “upper middle class” rather than rich, typically make between $150,000 and $250,000 per year.
The biggest mistake small businesses make is neglecting to plan thoroughly.
Simply put, if the decision were to go south, could your business afford to 'burn' cash for six months without going under? This is a critical safety net that protects your business's longevity. It's about acknowledging that not every investment will yield immediate returns and preparing for that reality.
Business Survival Rate Statistics
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other research sources indicate the following survival rates: 20% of businesses close within the first year. 50% fail within five years. 65% do not last beyond ten years.