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From Dependent to Dealworthy: How a Cosmetics Founder is Building a Business That Can Thrive Without Him
How does a successful cosmetics brand owner prepare to walk away from his business for good? For Robert Tabet , founder of Lexy Cosmetics , the journey from being the center of all decisions to building a self-sufficient organization reveals powerful lessons for business owners preparing for an exit.
This article was inspired by the interview done during The Entrepreneurship Marathon-Freedom Edition with Andre Abi Awad & Robert Tabet in 2021
Robert found himself caught in the classic “hub and spoke” trap that diminishes business value. As the central hub, every decision, customer interaction, and supplier relationship flowed through him. While this hands-on approach created initial success, it also created an unsellable business.
“Freedom has two meanings for me,” explains Robert. “Taking long vacations without touching my phone for work, and being able to focus on growing the business strategically without getting caught in day-to-day operations.”
With plans to sell his cosmetics company within 3–4 years, Robert recognized that his constant involvement created a significant obstacle to achieving maximum valuation. Potential acquirers would immediately spot the risk: without Robert, would the…