The Founder’s Private Weight
This scroll is for founders who struggle to lead because of the daily, non-stop push — without time to decompress and replenish — and for investors who overlook the cost of neglecting it.
1. When the Voyage Falters
You’ve launched, hired, and shipped —
but by Year 2–3, something feels off
You’re still performing, but far from thriving.
2. The Unanticipated Stall
Revenues are streaming,
but you can’t steady the ship
The pressure hasn’t eased —it has multiplied
Beneath the surface,
a persistent wave — of exhaustion,
self-doubt and anxiety —
begins to swell.
3. What You Can’t Express Openly
Clients and investors expect conviction
Your team expects steadiness
Your family expects stability
So, you carry it alone.
4. The Human Side of Scaling
Where there’s no support: the internal layer.
No proactive allocation
for founder well-being
or endurance.
The most critical asset of all..
5. The Quiet Cues Everyone Ignores
Apparent:
• weight gain
• indecisiveness
• reactive communication
Less obvious:
• fatigue
• anxiety
• insomnia
Signs that ripple through the venture.
6.
Below Deck
A seaworthy vessel with strong sails can still falter,
if the skipper collapses below deck
Ignore this,
and you will steer off course.
7. The Captain’s First Duty
Your mental, emotional, and physical health
isn’t optional —
it’s your survival kit.
Recognize when you need help
and seek it.
8. Replenish Your Internal Fuel
You have your crew
You have your backers
But the one who steers the ship
is you:
Invest in yourself to stay the course.
9. The Sidebar Founder CoachTM
I focus on the human side of scaling —
guiding founders
through the complex middle
when responsibilities multiply
and the human cost surfaces.
Contact me for a confidential consultation.
••••••••••
© My-Tien Vo – August 30, 2025
