BusinessBuilder
The Case Library

Businesses read through the lens of The Founder’s Trap

Real, historical and fictional cases—from cafés and gyms to growers and bookkeepers. Read every summary free, then get the full illustrated case study by email.

Every case is read the way a Snapshot Review reads your own business.

Each summary page is open to everyone. The full PDF is emailed to you when you enter your name, business name and email.

The Founder’s Trap book cover
Start with the bookEvery case applies the ideas in The Founder’s TrapThe value curve, the nine blocks and the three traps. Each case stands on its own—but read the book first and the cases become worked examples you can apply to your own business.
Get the ebook · A$29Read the summary →
Problem
Case type 13 cases
Fictional · Hospitality Cafe Beachside Fresh family meals without the long wait Read the summary →
Fictional · Fitness IronForge Strength Club Replacing low-price access with structured coaching cohorts Read the summary →
Fictional · Fitness and tourism Joe Personal Trainer Building a holiday fitness experience without building a bigger founder’s trap Read the summary →
Fictional · Hospitality Sam’s Coffee Kiosk Reaching the morning trade before the mall opens Read the summary →
Researched · Retail Koala Redesigning the purchase—and the business behind it Read the summary →
Researched · Retail Who Gives A Crap Making an everyday purchase fund a larger purpose Read the summary →
Historical · Supply Goebel v Linn Ice supply contracts and business dependence Read the summary →
Example Snapshot + Board Review · Fictional · Professional services Federal Bookkeepers Growing beyond forty clients Read the summary →
Example Snapshot + Board Review · Fictional · Agrifood Hinterland Paddock to Plate From pastoral lease to suburban butcher counter Read the summary →
Example Snapshot + Board Review · Fictional · Agrifood Hinterland Natives From local markets to refrigerated collection Read the summary →
Fictional · Trades and services Coolgardie Commercial Refrigeration From emergency call-outs to equipment that keeps running Read the summary →
Researched · Food and beverage Casella Wines and [yellow tail] Making wine easier to choose—and building the business behind it Read the summary →
Researched · Agrifood Murray Goulburn The 2016 milk-price crisis: when a promise to suppliers became a threat to the business Read the summary →

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