Founder Trap

Definition

The operational dependency cycle where a founder becomes the bottleneck to their own business growth.

How It Happens

The Founder Trap occurs when businesses are built around the founder's personal involvement rather than documented systems. It's the #1 cause of business unsellability.

1. Founder makes all decisions (no delegation)
2. Key relationships are personal (clients loyal to founder, not company)
3. Knowledge stays in founder's head (no documentation)
4. Business can't operate without founder present

Statistics

How to Escape

The BE Scale framework provides systematic escape:

• Vision: Clarify direction so team can make aligned decisions
• Organization: Define roles so work doesn't depend on you
• Processes: Document so knowledge isn't in your head
• Pilotage: Track metrics so you see problems without being in operations

Brahim's Quote

"The founder working 80 hours isn't in control. The business controls them. That's the trap."