Insights from Gabby and Elise Brulotte, founders of Hot Take

It’s one thing to make a great product. It’s another to build a company you actually want to run.

Think about margins you can live with, timelines you can actually hit, and decisions that fit the kind of founder you want to be. Here’s what to expect, what to watch out for, and how to shape growth that serves you as well as the market.

<aside>

For founders who are:

• Growing a business without an existing network
• Sharing behind‑the‑scenes while protecting their own bandwidth
• Choosing growth that matches their goals, not someone else’s </aside>

Build the business you want

There’s no single path. You don’t have to raise, scale fast, or chase big retail if it doesn’t match your resources or values. Decide what success looks like for you and build toward that.

• Define success beyond revenue. What schedule, team size, and day‑to‑day involvement feel right for you?
• Decide your growth approach. Are you pacing for steady scale, or aiming for rapid retail expansion or outside funding?
• Plan what you won’t do yourself. List the roles or tasks you’ll eventually hand off as the business grows.
• Set non‑negotiables. Identify the parts of your product and brand you won’t compromise on — even if it slows you down.

<aside>

Founder pace matters: Growth should fuel your life, not consume it.

</aside>