Guaranteed Business Success Tips: Lessons From My 5 Ventures

Guaranteed Business Success Tips: Lessons From My 5 Ventures

I know i'm young (only in my 30s), but having decent experience given i've gone into five different businesses—some wildly successful, others total failures—I’ve analysed what truly works. Here’s my fail-proof approach to building a revenue-generating business.

1. Never Start Alone

Running a business is a full-time job—marketing, sales, strategy, execution. A single person can’t handle everything. Even if someone says they started solo, they likely had support from a freelancer, family member, or mentor. You need at least one other person in your core team to make it sustainable.

2. Opposites Attract: The Power of Polarised Partnerships

One of my most successful businesses is with a ruthless, no-chill, 50-year-old business veteran. He lacks creativity but knows execution, has connections, and has failed and learned from multiple ventures. Meanwhile, I bring fresh, innovative ideas but struggle with follow-through. This opposite dynamic made our business profitable in just six months.

So, if you’re laid-back and creative, find someone disciplined and execution-focused. If you’re in your 40s-50s, partner with someone in their 20s-30s to bring fresh insights. If you’re female, add a male counterpart for balance. The right mix of skills, perspectives, and energy makes all the difference.

3. Don’t Do Business with People Just Like You

It’s tempting to start a business with your best friend, but if you have the same mindset and skills, you’re setting yourself up for failure. I learned this the hard way—lost money and time because there was no skill diversity. Opposing strengths make a business thrive.

4. Avoid Teams with Too Many Opinions

I’ve tried starting businesses with all-female teams (including my mum, best friend, and a group of strong-willed women). All ventures flopped. Why? Too many differing opinions with no clear decision-making process. A successful business needs a balance of personalities and expertise, not a room full of similar perspectives.

5. Don’t Start Without a Business Plan

No plan = guaranteed failure. Take the time to map out your strategy:

• A clear roadmap for the next five years
• Website and social media plan
• Financial infrastructure (accountants, revenue strategy, etc.) Launching prematurely without these elements led to financial loss in my early ventures. Learn from my mistakes—set up the foundation first.

6. Give Back & Watch Your Business Thrive

Giving is powerful. When you give, the universe takes care of you. Allocate a percentage of your revenue to charity—it creates abundance and builds goodwill for your brand.

7. Diversify with One Wildcard Business

All my businesses revolve around education and EdTech, but one of my best side hustles? A fruit and spice export business in Puerto Rico. We grow and export locally sourced fruits and spices to Western countries. It’s completely random, yet generates steady passive income. Having a diverse income stream can be your financial safety net.

8. Consider Tax-Friendly Locations

If possible, explore countries with lower taxes and business-friendly regulations. Some places don’t require permanent residency but offer great benefits for entrepreneurs. This was something that luckily worked out for me given my business partners experiences and an idea worth sharing if you're not already doing this.

Final Thought: Business success isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy, the right partnerships, and a solid foundation. Learn from my wins and mistakes, and set yourself up for sustainable success.