I’ve always wanted to build a business that could make money without me – undoubtedly an aspiration of many. My ideal is the type where engagement takes the form of strategic oversight and occasional interesting deep dives.

But as many others have learned before me, growth requires giving up quite a bit of control. And stepping back doesn’t come naturally, especially to those whose “control” has helped shape the business.

Just as children are not adults until they are free to make decisions for themselves, so a business and its team cannot mature until they achieve proper independence. And with the good comes the bad: More mistakes. And worse, costlier ones.

Thankfully my business is still in early adolescence – I don’t think I could handle more yet – but I’m starting to see its identity blossom. Though the numbers show growth that only tells part of the story. The fact that you can feel a culture forming showcases the change more palpably. One day I hope to even see it off to prom.

But in the meantime, if your business is at a similar stage to mine, we need to guide and learn to accept the larger mistakes that hurt a bit more. If there is such a thing as success, one of the keys is this: To die in order to really live.

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” – Jim Eliot