From CEO to employee, the pivot no one prepares for

From CEO to Employee: The Hardest Pivot of a Founder’s Career

Most founders obsess over growth. Very few think about what happens if it all ends.

In this episode, James Rose opens up about the most difficult transition of his career, going from founder and CEO to employee after a business collapse. We explore the emotional toll of losing control, the identity shock that follows, and how this experience fundamentally changed how James now builds companies.

If you’re scaling, struggling, or quietly worried about what failure might mean for you personally, this conversation is a must-watch.

👉 Watch the full episode to hear how James rebuilt from the lowest point of his career.

Here’s what you’re in for:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:17 James Rose’s First Business Venture

02:07 The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis

04:09 Transitioning From Founder to Employee

11:21 Re-entering Entrepreneurship Through M&A

15:29 Market Trends and Acquisition Strategies

29:58 Advice for Founders on Valuation and Exits

36:35 Where to Learn More About James

Watch it Now

ABOUT James Rose

James Rose is an entrepreneur, operator, and investor with experience building, losing, and rebuilding companies. After scaling a business to millions in revenue and experiencing a painful boom-and-bust cycle, James transitioned from CEO to employee, a humbling shift that reshaped his leadership philosophy.

Today, he is the CEO and founder of Inflective Group, where he applies those lessons to building resilient, scalable businesses.

• Connect with James on LinkedIn

• Check out Inflectiv Group

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