Launching a startup creates opportunities for swift gains, but unchecked expansion can destabilize any promising venture. Homejoy, once poised to disrupt the $400 billion home cleaning market, grew rapidly but shut its doors less than two years after a major funding round. The Homejoy case offers lessons for founders determined to avoid similar outcomes—a reality relevant to far more than a single company. The Fast Growth Trap: Scaling Without a Safety Net Many platforms believe rapid growth ensures market dominance. Homejoy, for example, moved into over 30 cities, investing heavily in marketing and operations before securing sustainable retention and operational quality. High customer acquisition expenses, unreliable service, and management stretched across geographies contributed to mounting losses.   Operational cracks appeared quickly:   ●        Quality Assurance Issues : Numerous new users encountered inconsistent se...