Most small business owners dream of growing our small businesses into something bigger. But scaling comes with challenges—hiring, infrastructure, and managing processes without losing control.

I sat down with Anthony Franco, a serial entrepreneur who has launched, scaled, and sold multiple businesses. He’s also the host of How the Founder, a podcast where he and his co-host dive deep into the challenges business owners face. In this conversation he shares his insights on scaling the right way.

1. Ask Yourself: Do You Really Want to Scale? – Growth isn’t for everyone. Some businesses thrive at 5-10 employees, and scaling beyond that requires a different mindset and willingness to delegate.

2. Systems and Processes Are Essential – Once you decide to grow, you need to document how things are done. A business can’t scale if key processes exist only in the founder’s head.

3. Communication and Organization Matter – As teams grow, structured communication through tools like Slack, Teams, and shared knowledge bases ensures everyone stays aligned.

4. Founders Must Learn to Let Go – The biggest roadblock to scaling is often the founder. Delegation is crucial, and tasks don’t have to be done exactly how you would do them—just well enough to keep things moving.

5. Hire for Culture and Performance – Bringing in the right people is vital. Prioritizing A-players and being quick to remove underperformers keeps your business strong.