What if the moment you finally exhale is the moment your business starts to die?

This raw, unfiltered conversation between Chris Franks, Anthony Franco, and Stephanie Hays tackles the uncomfortable truth most founders avoid: success breeds complacency, and complacency breeds failure. They dissect why seventy-three percent of midsize companies plateau within three years of hitting profitability, explore the addictive nature of startup anxiety, and reveal why the most dangerous phrase in business might be "we've made it." From debating whether growth is actually essential to examining the mental health toll of perpetual hustle, this episode delivers the reality check every comfortable founder needs to hear. No guests, no filters—just three battle-tested entrepreneurs confronting the paradox that staying hungry requires intentional discomfort.

Keywords: founder comfort zone, midsize business plateau, startup stagnation, entrepreneurial anxiety, business growth strategies, profitable company challenges, founder mental health, innovation versus stability