Today, we inaugurate a president with a business background who recognizes a fundamental truth: value creation is the engine of the economy. In a thriving economy midmarket businesses play a critical role in driving economic growth. These companies, which serve as the backbone of supply chains and local communities, fuel innovation, create millions of jobs, and contribute significantly to national prosperity. Whether at a company level or on a national scale, growth begins and ends with the ability to create meaningful value—and midmarket businesses are at the heart of this value creation.

At a business level, Annual Revenue represents the tangible result of a company’s ability to create value for its customers. Defined as companies with annual revenues between $10 million and $1 billion, midmarket businesses represent a significant part of the overall economy. Revenue is more than just numbers on a balance sheet—it reflects how well a business understands market needs and delivers solutions that people are willing to pay for.

At a national level, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures the total output of value creation across an entire economy. According to Wikipedia, GDP is a monetary measure of the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country during a specific time period. Healthy economies grow because businesses are creating value, producing goods and services that meet demand, and generating wealth for their employees, customers, and stakeholders.

But while businesses work to create value, governments are renowned for slowing down value creation. Regulations, tax policies, and inflating the money supply often hinders the environment for businesses to thrive. Ultimately, it is businesses, not governments, that create the products, services, and jobs that fuel economic growth and drive increases in GDP.

This is why we need businesses to thrive. In particular, we need midmarket businesses to thrive. Here’s why:

The Role of Midmarket Businesses in the Economy

When it comes to value creation, midmarket businesses play an outsized role. Midmarket businesses are responsible for a staggering 30% of private-sector GDP, contributing an estimated $6-7 trillion annually to the U.S. economy (as of 2023). These companies also employ approximately 30 million people, accounting for about one-third of private-sector jobs.

Midmarket businesses serve as the backbone of supply chains, bridging the gap between small businesses and large corporations. They drive innovation, operational efficiency, and industry growth by being agile enough to adapt to market changes while possessing the resources to compete on a larger scale. Industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and technology depend heavily on the innovation and expansion fostered by midmarket businesses.

But midmarket businesses are more than economic engines. Unlike many large corporations that view employees as mere “human resources” to be managed or downsized in the name of cost efficiency, many midmarket businesses often operate with a people-first mindset. These companies are led by executives and founders who build cultures intentionally—cultures where employees feel valued, connected, and part of something meaningful. This focus on culture not only creates better workplaces but also serves as a competitive advantage, attracting and retaining top talent in a highly competitive job market.

The Growth Challenges for Midmarket Businesses

Despite their critical role in the economy, many midmarket businesses hit growth plateaus—a virtual ceiling that limits their ability to scale further. As the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM) at Ohio State University explains, “The U.S. middle market is the unsung hero of the American economy, creating jobs and opportunities at twice the rate of their peers in the small and large business segments.” Yet despite their critical role in driving economic growth, many of these businesses face challenges that limit their ability to scale and sustain long-term growth.

Given their importance in driving economic growth and fostering strong corporate cultures, this stagnation represents a missed opportunity for both businesses and the broader economy.

These growth plateaus often stem from challenges in one or more of four key areas:

1. Revenue Growth: Expanding the top line in competitive markets often requires rethinking value propositions, focusing on contracted recurring revenue, and aligning marketing and sales to drive growth.

2. Process Optimization: Without efficient processes, scaling becomes difficult. Inefficiencies drain time, resources, and focus, preventing growth from being sustainable.

3. Culture Development: As businesses grow, maintaining a strong, values-driven culture becomes increasingly challenging. Companies that fail to prioritize culture risk losing alignment, employee engagement, and productivity.

4. Strategic Innovation: In today’s fast-changing world, businesses that fail to innovate risk becoming obsolete. Strategic innovation is essential to adapt to new technologies, customer preferences, and market dynamics. Yet most midmarket businesses do not have a formal innovation program.

Addressing these challenges is critical for midmarket businesses to unlock their full potential and sustain long-term growth.

The Power of Growing Value, Not Just Revenue

Midmarket businesses achieve sustainable growth when they focus on growing value, not just revenue. While revenue growth is important, it is not the sole indicator of success. True, lasting growth comes from creating value across multiple dimensions: for customers, by solving real problems and delivering meaningful products or services; for employees, by fostering a culture of engagement and purpose; and for communities, by contributing to economic and social well-being.

Businesses that prioritize value creation develop stronger customer relationships, retain top talent, and build a foundation for enduring success. Value-driven companies are also more resilient, able to adapt to market shifts, weather economic challenges, and maintain their competitive edge over time. By focusing on value, midmarket businesses don’t just achieve growth—they create meaningful, sustainable impact.

The Path To a Thriving Economy and Growing GDP

If the United States is to maintain a thriving, resilient economy, we need midmarket businesses to continue creating value across all four areas: revenue growth, process optimization, culture development, and strategic innovation. When midmarket businesses succeed, they don’t just grow themselves—they strengthen communities, support industries, and drive economic stability.

For midmarket businesses to break out a plateau and move to the next level of value creation, growth must start with clarity. It begins with discovering the value of your business—understanding what you’ve already built and identifying opportunities to grow that value. The next step is creating a strategic plan to address challenges, leverage strengths, and unlock new potential.

Start today. Evaluate your business’s value and take the first steps toward a stronger, more prosperous future.

Originally published on Darrell Amy's LinkedIn.