Who Cares About Costs? Here's How to Structure Your Business to Last Many companies are too concerned with costs and operate shortsightedly. But a business who measures growth and progress in years, not months, is a much easier ship to steer.

Q: How do I build a business that will last for decades?

A: With very few exceptions, the answer to this question is the same for any small business, whether it's looking to cash out in 50 months or 50 years. And it's not really about costs; it's about the structure of the business. Costs will flow naturally and efficiently out of a sound structure.

Many public companies operate shortsightedly, pumping up their quarterly numbers to boost their stock prices, with sometimes disastrous long-term results. A business with an owner who measures growth and progress in years, not months, is a much easier ship to steer.