Cheryl writes: "I'm afraid to hire people because I don't want them to learn my business and then start their own. I know this is holding me back. Help me overcome this."

The reality: 6% of the U.S. population owns a business. 94% don't—and don't want to.

Scott's story: When he hired his first sales rep, she had a history of owning businesses. He was nervous. But he asked himself three questions:

• Does she have the capital?
• Does she have the interest?
• Does she have the burning desire?

Most employees don't. They want stability, not risk.

The car detailing story: A professional detailer—20 years in, van, full setup, referrals—worried about a neighborhood kid undercutting him on Facebook. Two years later: kid is gone. Professional is still thriving.

The lesson: Just because someone can start a business against you doesn't mean they'll succeed.

The reframe: You're holding your business back because of something that probably won't happen. This fear isn't unique to hiring—business owners make decisions all the time solving for things that probably won't happen.

The real risk: Not hiring. Not growing. Staying stuck.

Got a business question? Ask Scott here: scotttodd.net/ask