EP 18: Building a Business That Can Grow Without You with David Askew

<p>What does it really take to build a company that can scale beyond the founder?</p><p>In this insightful and strategic episode, <strong>Saurabh Jain</strong> sits down with <strong>David Askew</strong>, founder of <strong>Fast Automation</strong>, to explore the realities of building, scaling, and eventually stepping back from a successful technology-driven business.</p><p>David shares his journey from leaving the UK and moving to Australia to building a career in engineering and launching Fast Automation in 1998. What started as a one-person operation grew into a successful automation company delivering complex robotics, engineering, and technology solutions across industries.</p><p>The conversation explores one of the biggest challenges many entrepreneurs face: moving from being the person driving every part of the business to creating systems, teams, and processes that allow the company to thrive independently.</p><p>Together, Saurabh and David unpack the founder transition journey, including leadership development, succession planning, hiring the right people, and preparing a business for long-term growth or a potential exit.</p><p>They also dive into the future of automation, robotics, and AI, discussing how emerging technologies are transforming industries, changing workforce needs, and creating new opportunities for businesses willing to adapt.</p><p>Beyond strategy, David reflects on entrepreneurship, self-belief, imposter syndrome, and why many successful founders underestimate the unique skills and decisions that contributed to their success.</p><p><br></p><p>What You’ll Learn in This Episode</p><ul><li><p>David Askew’s journey from engineering to founding Fast Automation</p></li><li><p>How Fast Automation grew from a one-person company into a successful automation business</p></li><li><p>Why founders struggle to remove themselves from daily operations</p></li><li><p>How to build systems that allow a company to scale independently</p></li><li><p>The importance of leadership, delegation, and succession planning</p></li><li><p>Why preparing for an exit requires more than financial performance</p></li><li><p>How automation, robotics, and AI are transforming businesses</p></li><li><p>Why technical expertise alone is not enough to scale a company</p></li><li><p>The role of communication in selling complex technology solutions</p></li><li><p>How founders can identify their true strengths and competitive advantages</p></li><li><p>Why imposter syndrome