Can’t Scale, Can’t Fail : Why Proprietary Firms Are Stuck in the Small Lane

Alright, let’s talk about proprietary firms and their grand growth potential—and by “grand,” I mean “not-so-grand.” It’s like trying to grow a tree in a flower pot, no matter how much you water it or talk sweetly to it.

You’ve got this one-person band where you’re the CEO, the accountant, the marketing team, the customer service rep, and somehow, you’re also the one running out to get snacks for the office (priorities). It's all fun and games until you realize that there’s only so much you can do before you hit a wall. You’re juggling flaming swords, strumming a guitar, singing, and probably doing the Macarena for good measure—but there’s only so much room for you to dance around before you’re bumping into everything.

Now, here comes the really fun part: You’re personally liable for EVERYTHING. If things go south, guess who’s footing the bill? You, my friend. Your personal assets are on the line, so don’t be surprised when you’re suddenly thinking about selling your car or that expensive coffee machine you “didn’t really need” (oops). It’s like playing Monopoly where you land straight in bankruptcy and your house is on the line.

And scaling? Oh, scaling is cute. It's like trying to throw a massive party... in a phone booth. You're packed in there with all your best ideas, but there's no room for anyone else. You’re stuck in a tiny space with limited capital, relying on your personal savings or loans, hoping you don’t need to take out a second mortgage just to hire one extra person. Good luck with that!

But the challenges don’t stop there. Let’s add a little sprinkle of stress. You’ve got to worry about competition from the big guys—those fancy corporations with their fancy marketing budgets and their fancy everything. You’re just here trying to keep the lights on, while they have enough cash to host a Super Bowl commercial. Oh, and then there’s the whole “regulatory compliance” thing. Who has time to figure out tax laws when you’re still trying to figure out how to balance your own budget? It's like running a race while blindfolded.

And the cherry on top? The lack of continuity. If you decide to take a nap (hey, you deserve it), the entire company might just implode because there's no backup. Or worse, if something happens to you—boom, the whole business might go down with you. No biggie, right?

In the end, proprietary firms are like running a marathon in flip-flops. You’ll probably get to the finish line eventually, but it’s gonna be a bumpy, painful, and awkward journey. And if you’re lucky enough to grow, just don’t expect to have a parade float in your future—unless you decide to throw your own! 

But hey, if you’re into being the sole superhero of your own tiny business universe, more power to you! Just don’t forget to grab a cape. You’ll need it.