“3 governance lessons I wish every founder knew before scaling.”

When I started Plant in a Box just a year ago, my focus was on passion, purpose, and building something meaningful. What I didn’t realize was how governance - often thought of as a ‘big company’ word - quietly becomes relevant much earlier than we imagine.

As a founder and someone preparing to step into independent directorships, here are 3 governance lessons I’ve learned and wish every founder could internalize before scaling:

🌱 1. Transparency is strength, not weakness. Just like a plant thrives when it gets the right sunlight, businesses thrive when information flows openly. Whether it’s finances, risks, or even mistakes - clarity builds trust with your team, partners, and investors.

🌱 2. Checks & balances protect you, not slow you. In the early days, I thought governance was about rules that could stifle creativity. But just like plants need the right pot to grow without toppling over, founders need systems that bring discipline without killing innovation.

🌱 3. Sustainability is governance too. At Plant in a Box, we’ve built a brand rooted in nature and longevity. Governance is similar - it’s about planting seeds for growth that lasts, rather than chasing quick wins that can exhaust your soil.

As founders, we’re often too busy growing to pause and put these roots in place. But governance isn’t about bureaucracy - it’s about resilience.

If you’re a founder about to scale, start small, start early. Because governance, like planting, is most powerful when it begins at the roots. 🌿