184- The Founder’s Dilemma- Staying CEO vs. Hiring One

Every successful business starts with a visionary founder, but not every founder is the right person to lead the company once it begins to scale. Knowing when to step aside — or when to level up your leadership — can make or break your startup’s future. In this episode, Steve Smith and Travis Smith unpack:

• The critical shift from startup founder to commercial CEO
• How to recognize if your leadership style fits your company’s next stage
• The dangers of ego and why self-awareness is key to scaling
• What investors look for when deciding to back your business
• Options for founders: CTO, CMO, Chairman, or staying CEO — which role is best?
• Real-world examples (from Zuckerberg to startups that imploded)
• How to avoid chaos, retain your best people, and build sustainable growth

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or leader navigating change, this discussion will give you a practical framework to evaluate your role — and your company’s future.