860: 5 Pieces of Bad Business Advice I’m Glad I Didn’t Take
Mar 12, 2025
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The speaker discusses the pitfalls of following conventional business advice, reflecting on lessons learned from personal experiences. From the pressure to scale to the myth of being omnipresent, they emphasize the importance of authenticity and personalizing your journey. Challenging niche restrictions, they highlight adaptability and the value of mastering one area before diversifying. This insightful take encourages entrepreneurs to trust their instincts and pursue what truly resonates with them.
Filtering business advice through your unique perspective is essential to avoid burnout and align with your authentic vision.
Focusing on one social media platform at a time and repurposing content can lead to more meaningful connections and less burnout.
Deep dives
Filter Advice Through Your Own Lens
Successful entrepreneurship requires filtering advice through your unique perspective rather than blindly following it. Early in her journey, the speaker realized that well-meaning advice did not always resonate with her or fit her vision, illustrating the importance of discernment. By adopting a mindset that values personal intuition and aligning situations with one's values, entrepreneurs can craft a path that feels authentic and exciting. This approach allows individuals to leave behind what doesn’t serve them, reinforcing that one’s unique filter is essential for growth.
Embrace Your Multifaceted Nature
The notion that one must stick to a single focus to achieve mastery is discussed, revealing it to be both limiting and potentially harmful. The speaker shares her journey as a wedding photographer, emphasizing how initial success led to burnout, prompting her to diversify her creative pursuits. This transition allowed her to explore watercolor painting, which unexpectedly turned into a thriving business venture. Embracing multifaceted interests is crucial, as it encourages personal evolution rather than confining oneself to a single identity.
Quality Over Quantity in Presence
The belief that one needs to be present on every social media platform to capture audience attention is labeled as detrimental and unsustainable. The speaker argues for a focus on one platform at a time, noting how finding rhythm on Facebook proved more effective than spreading thin across various channels. By concentrating efforts and repurposing content strategically, businesses can create meaningful connections without the burnout of constant creation. Adopting the 80-20 rule can lead to better results by identifying which efforts yield the most significant impact.
The Power of Generosity and Boundaries
Generosity in sharing valuable content for free is emphasized as a strategy that builds trust rather than depletes resources. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the speaker posits that offering help without direct compensation fosters a loyal community, enhancing the potential for future paid opportunities. Moreover, the importance of setting boundaries and not succumbing to a 'yes' mentality is addressed, highlighting how overcommitting can dilute focus on one’s goals. By learning to say no thoughtfully, entrepreneurs can honor their values and dedicate energy toward what truly matters.
Not all business advice is created equal. In fact, some of the most commonly shared tips—the ones that sound super strategic or even “proven”—can actually hold you back!
Over the years, I’ve been given plenty of well-meaning advice that, if I had followed it, would have led me straight to burnout, bad investments, or a business that didn’t feel like me.
In this episode, I’m breaking down five pieces of bad business advice I’m so glad I didn’t take. From the pressure to scale at all costs to the myth that you have to be everywhere, all the time, I’ll share why these “rules” didn’t work for me—and what I did instead. If you’ve ever questioned the business playbook that everyone seems to be following, this one’s for you!