By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
Let’s talk about a special group of entrepreneurs. Not the ones who hustle every day. Not the ones who get bought out. We’re talking about the business owners who just… vanish. No warning. No newsletter. One day they’re in the office. Next day, gone. Like socks in the laundry.
You call. No answer.
You email. No reply.
You check Instagram. Nothing since 2021.
It’s like they entered witness protection. But for CEOs.
This is the true story of the quitters, runners, vanishing acts, and burnout legends of the business world.
Exhibit A: The DHL Founder Who Said “Bye”
DHL—yes, that big yellow delivery company—was co-founded by Adrian Dalsey. He helped launch the company, built it up, and then one day… walked away. No press tour. No TED Talk. Just took his money and vanished into private life.
Fun Fact: DHL stands for Dalsey, Hillblom, and Lynn. None of them run the company today. One even disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean and was never found. Real story.
Dalsey didn’t care about legacy, brand equity, or any of those MBA buzzwords. He cared about peace and palm trees. And maybe not answering emails anymore.
The “Poof” Syndrome: Entrepreneurs Who Vanish Without Selling
Some founders sell their companies and ride off into the sunset. But others? They don’t sell. They don’t announce. They just quit, like they’re tired of being responsible adults.
Let’s look at a few.
1. Mike Jeffries – Abercrombie & Fitch
He made Abercrombie the hottest teen store in America. Dark lights. Shirtless models. Loud music. Then boom—criticism came, lawsuits hit, and he quietly stepped down like a ghost. Didn’t sell. Didn’t explain. Just said, “I’m out,” and disappeared like one of his models’ shirts.
His exit strategy? Probably hiding in a pair of ripped jeans in the back stockroom.
2. Greg Glassman – CrossFit
He created a global fitness empire with kettlebells and cult-like followers. Then made controversial comments during a crisis, got heat, and—guess what? Vanished. Didn’t sell the company. Just disappeared into silence with his protein shakes and chalk dust.
CrossFitters everywhere kept doing burpees in his honor, not realizing he was already at a beach, sipping electrolyte cocktails.
3. Jody Sherman – Ecomom
He started a company that sold eco-friendly baby stuff. Raised millions. The pressure got real. And he just stepped away quietly—no big exit. Sadly, his story ended in tragedy, showing the dark side of founder burnout.
Being an entrepreneur isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes it’s just heavy.
4. Eduardo Saverin – Facebook Co-Founder
He didn’t run away, but he did disappear—from the U.S. He moved to Singapore, gave up his U.S. citizenship, and now lives his best tax-free life. He doesn’t talk much. Just invests quietly and lets Zuckerberg do all the talking (and testifying).
He basically said, “Keep the fame. I’ll take the peace and no IRS.”
5. Markus Persson (aka Notch) – Minecraft
Created Minecraft. Sold it to Microsoft for $2.5 billion. Then tweeted about being lonely in his mansion. No next business. No big vision. Just a rich guy in a $70 million house tweeting sad things about parties.
Proof that money buys a lot of things—but not people who actually like you.
6. Tony Schwartz – Ghostwriter of “The Art of the Deal”
Helped build Donald Trump’s image as a dealmaker. Then one day said, “Nope, I’m done,” and ghosted his own ghostwriting business. Retired from books and now spends time warning people not to believe the hype he helped create.
Basically: “I wrote the story. I regret the story. Please stop reading the story.”
Why Do They Disappear?
- Burnout – Running a business is like having a baby that never sleeps. Ever.
- Too Much Drama – Lawsuits, employees, regulators, angry customers.
- Money Is Enough – Some hit their target and dip. They’re like, “I don’t need a yacht. A quiet island is enough.”
- Boredom – Some people love building. They hate maintaining. The day-to-day kills their soul.
- Scandals Incoming – Some disappear right before the storm hits.
And some? Just realized being the boss is overrated.
Common Sense Time
Not everyone is built to stay forever.
Some people are starters, not finishers.
Some people love the idea, not the pressure.
Some people make their money and leave before the emails start piling up.
And some? They’re just done with your oat milk requests and Wi-Fi complaints.
So don’t be shocked when your favorite tech founder becomes a goat farmer. Or your gym CEO is now doing CrossFit alone in the woods.
Signs Someone’s About to Disappear
- They stop replying to group chats.
- They suddenly get “really into yoga.”
- They use words like “sabbatical,” “pivot,” or “digital detox.”
- They start mentoring startups (aka retirement trial version).
- Their LinkedIn changes to “Former Founder.”
How to Quit Like a Pro
If you ever hit that wall and decide to leave:
1. Say Goodbye – Don’t ghost your team. Write a real message. Or at least leave a meme.
2. Leave Systems – Don’t disappear with the company passwords.
3. Avoid Drama – Quitting is fine. Quitting during an audit? Not ideal.
4. Tell the Truth – “I’m tired.” “I’m broke.” “I’m over it.” All valid reasons.
Final Thought
Entrepreneurship is not for the faint-hearted. But disappearing without a trace? That’s next-level.
Some do it rich.
Some do it tired.
Some do it to save their sanity.
Some just wake up and realize, “I don’t want to do this anymore.”
And guess what? That’s okay.
But if you’re going to disappear, at least do it in style. Maybe leave behind a note, a playlist, and one final invoice.
Or better yet—go out like the DHL founder: quietly, completely, and already on an island. But whatever you do, don’t fake your death—because the taxman won’t believe it. He’ll keep chasing you until he sees your real body, in a real coffin, with a real obituary.
About the Author
John is an entrepreneur, strategist, and founder of JS Morlu, LLC, a Virginia based CPA firm with multiple software ventures including www.FinovatePro.com, www.Recksoft.com and www.Fixaars.com . With operations spanning multiple countries, John is on a mission to build global infrastructure that empowers small businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals to thrive in an increasingly competitive world. He believes in hard truths, smart execution, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. When he’s not writing or building, he’s challenging someone to a productivity contest—or inventing software that automates it.
