Ever wonder why 70% of million-dollar businesses never reach ten million? The brutal truth is that the scrappy hustle that built your company is now choking it to death.
In this game-changing episode, we sit down with Derek Fredrickson, founder and CEO of The COO Solution, who reveals why founders become their own worst enemy once they hit seven figures. Discover the uncomfortable reality that your biggest strengths are secretly your biggest weaknesses, learn when to stop being the hero of every story, and find out how to build systems that actually work without losing your entrepreneurial soul. This isn't about working harder—it's about working completely differently.
The founder's paradox hits hardest when success masks the very behaviors that will kill future growth. Most entrepreneurs reach seven figures by doing everything themselves—hustling, improvising, breaking through barriers with pure determination. But that same scrappy energy becomes operational quicksand when you need systems, delegation, and structured thinking to scale further.
Derek reveals the counterintuitive truth: successful scaling requires founders to do less, not more. The magic happens when visionaries partner with integrators—people who love turning chaotic ideas into systematic realities. Think of it as hiring someone whose superpower is finishing what you love to start.
The path forward isn't about abandoning your entrepreneurial instincts. It's about building the operational backbone that lets you focus on what you do best: creating, envisioning, and driving growth. Start with a simple weekly scorecard tracking five to ten key metrics. Document the seats you're sitting in, even if you hate the process. Most importantly, recognize that needing operational help isn't a weakness—it's the mark of a business ready to scale beyond founder limitations.
Your business will either own you or you'll own it. The choice comes down to whether you're brave enough to get out of your own way.
Watch the Full Episode on What Got You Here Won't Get You There with expert Derek Fredrickson below:
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