As the Easter holidays approach, many business owners start thinking about taking time off. But here’s the question: can you truly switch off, confident that your business will run smoothly in your absence? If the answer is no, you may be trapped in the Hub-and-Spoke model—a business structure that depends entirely on you.
While it may feel noble to be the go-to person for every decision, approval, and customer interaction, this approach is unsustainable. It limits your growth, exhausts your energy, and ultimately lowers the value of your business.
When you’re the hub of everything, it can feel like you’re stuck on a hamster wheel—constantly running, but never really moving forward. Each task, decision, and client need keeps you spinning. You’re busy, but not necessarily productive. Over time, this pace becomes draining and unsustainable.. It limits your growth, exhausts your energy, and ultimately lowers the value of your business.
What is the Hub-and-Spoke Model?
This model positions the business owner at the centre—the “hub”—with all operations, decisions, and relationships flowing through them like spokes. The business can only run as long as the owner does. If the owner steps away, everything stops.
Five Red Flags You’re Too Central to Your Business
- You’re the Only One Who Can Sign Off on Payments
If you’re the sole signatory, what happens when you’re unavailable? Empower trusted team members with limits on signing authority to avoid delays. - You Can’t Take a Real Vacation
If your holiday involves taking calls, processing payments, or micromanaging remotely, something’s wrong. Create systems, delegate responsibilities, and build trust so you can truly disconnect. - Your Revenue Has Flatlined
When you’re the sole service provider or decision-maker, you eventually hit your limit. Simplify your offerings and focus on scalable, repeatable services. - You’re Copied Into Every Email
Being CC’d on every message means your team may be unclear on their authority—or doesn’t feel empowered. Define roles, delegate decision-making, and reduce unnecessary communication. - You Know Every Customer by Name
This may feel like great customer service, but it ties customer loyalty to you, not your brand. Build a client service team and train them to take ownership of relationships.
Case in Point: The Hairdresser Who Changed Her Model
A salon owner found herself doing everything—clients only wanted her. She introduced a booking system with tiered pricing and trained her staff to handle appointments independently. Not only did she reduce burnout, but she also expanded capacity, empowered her team, and scaled her business.
Customisation: The Silent Business Killer
Over-customising your products or services to meet individual customer demands prevents scalability. It creates one-off solutions that can’t be replicated, delegated, or documented. Standardise 80% of your services and leave customisation for high-value clients.
Thinking of Selling One Day? Buyer Beware
If your business relies on you for everything, buyers will see it as a risk. They’ll adjust the value of your business down to reflect the cost of replacing you—and you may be tied to the company even after the sale via performance-based earn-outs.
What About Your Legacy?
Whether you’re planning to pass your business on to your children or hand it over to management, refusing to relinquish control leads to frustration. Fresh ideas get stifled. Relationships strain. Future leaders walk away.
Take the Owner’s Trap Self-Assessment
- Are you the only one who can approve payments?
- Do you check in constantly when away?
- Is revenue flat?
- Do all customer relationships depend on you?
- Are you involved in nearly every decision?
If you answered “yes” to 3 or more, your business is overly dependent on you.
Break Free: Build a Business That Can Thrive Without You
Start now:
- Delegate key responsibilities.
- Document your systems.
- Train and trust your team.
- Standardise your offerings.
Your role should be strategic, not operational. It’s time to move from being the business to building a business that works—with or without you.
Ready to escape the Hub-and-Spoke trap? Start today. Your freedom, legacy, and company value depend on it.
