Founder to Founder: Notes from Irene’s Desk

Founders, what happens if you don’t wake up tomorrow?

Founders, let’s talk about something we rarely talk about in business — especially in African contexts.

What happens if the founder doesn’t wake up tomorrow? Not the burnout kind of “not waking up.” The permanent kind — the kind that leaves behind silence, confusion, and a trail of unanswered questions. If that question makes you pause, this message is for you.

Succession Isn’t a Luxury — It’s a responsibility

In my years working with founders, institutions, and families, I have seen what happens when business owners fail to plan for the inevitable: court battles over assets, broken supply chains, staff with no direction, bank accounts no one can access, and even grieving spouses unsure who owns what.

And let me be clear: succession planning is not just about death. It is about transitions of all kinds — illness, disability, burnout, retirement, resignation, or the simple decision to step away. Yet many founders behave as if they are invincible. As if their presence alone will hold the business together indefinitely. It is a dangerous illusion.

At Horsham Consulting, we remind our clients that succession is not a big company issue — it is a business continuity issue. Whether you are running a one-man consultancy or managing a multi-million-cedi enterprise, the principle is the same: you must plan beyond yourself.

The founder fallacy

The founder fallacy is the belief that “I built it, so I will always be here to lead it.” But that is not leadership — that is ego. Leadership means preparing others to carry the vision even in your absence.

The founder who does not empower others becomes the single point of failure in his own organisation. And when the centre cannot hold, the ripple effect can be devastating: suppliers lose contracts, employees lose jobs, clients lose services, families lose income, and legacies are lost.

Real leadership asks: What happens to the people I serve if I am no longer here? What happens to my staff, clients, operations, finances, and vision?

Start small, but start now

You don’t need to have a complicated succession plan or a five-member board on Day One. But you do need to start laying the groundwork early. Here are five practical things every founder should put in place:

A basic will – It doesn’t need to be fancy, but it must be legal and regularly updated.

Documented access protocols – Who can access key documents, bank details, and digital tools if you are unavailable?

An organogram or structure chart – Even if it is a solo operation, mapping roles and functions matters.

Clear financial separation – Keep your personal and business finances distinct. It will save your successors enormous stress.

A trusted governance advisor – Someone you can lean on to formalise what is in your head into systems others can follow.

And most importantly: Have the conversations. With your spouse. Your staff. Your co-founder. Your lawyer. Your family.

Legacy is not just about vision. It is about structure.

Many of us speak proudly about building businesses for the next generation — but legacy does not happen by accident. It is the result of consistent, intentional, behind-the-scenes work. You do not pass on purpose; you pass on tools. You do not hand down vibes; you hand down systems.

It does not matter how visionary you are. If your operations only exist in your head — or in WhatsApp messages and personal bank accounts — then your business is at risk. So I will ask again, founder; What happens if you do not wake up tomorrow?

If the answer makes you uncomfortable, that is good. That is where growth begins. Let us normalise succession conversations in Ghanaian entrepreneurship. Let us lead with courage — not just when we are launching, but when we are planning to exit well.

About the writer

Irene Ansa-Asare Horsham is the Founder of Horsham Consulting, a governance and strategy firm supporting African entrepreneurs to build with clarity, courage, and compliance. She also serves as Rector of MountCrest University College, a pioneering private tertiary institution in Ghana. Learn more at www.horshamconsulting.com.

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