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Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I took every piece of business advice as gospel. I was so eager to succeed that I rarely stopped to ask, does this actually make sense for me?
But over the years, I learned a valuable lesson: not all advice is good advice. Some of the most common expert tips can actually steer you in the wrong direction.
The truth is, every business is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. That’s why discernment and intuition, or as I like to call it, the gut game of entrepreneurship, are so important.
Some of my biggest wins have come from doing the exact opposite of what the so-called “rules” say to do.
Today, I’m sharing five pieces of bad business advice I’m so glad I ignored. Let’s dive in!
1. “Stick to One Thing and Master It”
At first, I kind of agreed with this one. When I started as a photographer, I niched down to weddings, which helped me establish myself in the industry. I knew that being an “everything” photographer wouldn’t serve me, so I focused entirely on weddings. That clarity helped me grow fast, but after a few years, I felt the pull to explore something new.
So, I started a watercolor print shop on Etsy, just for fun. To my surprise, it actually paid my mortgage!
That was the moment I realized that just because you start with one thing doesn’t mean you’re stuck there forever. Being multi-passionate isn’t a flaw, it’s an asset.
What I Learned:
Mastering one thing first gives you the foundation to expand later. You don’t have to box yourself into one identity forever. When you’re solid in one space, you earn the ability to explore new things.
Seth Godin’s book Purple Cow emphasizes that being remarkable often means doing things differently, not just specializing in one thing. His insights gave me permission to follow my curiosity in business.
2. “You Have to Be on Every Social Platform”
This one drives me crazy! The pressure to be on every single platform can make you feel like you’re constantly chasing your tail.
Early in my business, I decided to focus on one platform at a time. Back in the day, that was Facebook. I showed up consistently, engaged with my audience, and built a strong presence there before expanding elsewhere.
A few years later, I tried YouTube, but I quickly realized it wasn’t for me. Instead of forcing it, I let it go and doubled down on what actually worked. If I had spread myself too thin across every platform, I wouldn’t have had the energy to make an impact where it really mattered.
What I Learned:
Instead of feeling pressure to be everywhere, I focused on the lowest-hanging fruit. I chose one platform, showed up consistently, got results, and then repurposed content before expanding to the next space.
The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, suggests that 80 percent of results come from just 20 percent of efforts. When I looked at my business through this lens, I realized that focusing on what was working, rather than trying to be everywhere, was the smartest way to grow.
I recorded an entire episode about how this principle plays out in my business! Tune in to Episode 832: The One Principle Every Entrepreneur Must Master to Maximize Results!
3. “Don’t Give Away Too Much for Free”
I hear this one all the time. People tell me I’m teaching too much in my free content, that I should hold back, and that I’m giving away the farm. But my entire business has been built on the opposite philosophy.
I have found that the more value I give away, the more trust I build.
If I can help someone get a quick win for free, imagine what they can achieve when they invest in my paid programs!
I’ve had people DM me saying that a single podcast episode helped them book their first client or launch their business. That kind of impact is why I do what I do. And guess what? Those same people often become paying customers because they know my advice works.
What I Learned:
Generosity builds trust. When you actually help people before they buy, you are proving that your paid offers will take them even further.
Ray Edwards, in his book How to Write Copy That Sells, emphasizes the power of generosity in marketing. People buy from those they trust, and giving value upfront is one of the best ways to build that trust.
4. “You Need to Work 24/7 to Be Successful”
This one is a hard no for me. My therapist once told me that on every spreadsheet where I track profit, I should also track ease and joy. That hit me hard. Success isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about how the journey feels.
Early on, I learned the hard way that working 24/7 wasn’t sustainable. I was hustling non-stop, booking more and more clients, but I wasn’t happy. The day I hit six figures, I sat down with Drew and told him, “I was so much happier when I made $50,000.” That realization led me to redesign my business around what actually mattered.
Here’s how I designed my business to avoid burnout…
- I stopped launching in the summer so I could enjoy time with my family.
- I shifted to a four-day workweek to create more space for creativity.
- I set clear boundaries around Slack and business hours, and I don’t use my personal phone for work-related texts or calls.
What I Learned:
Success should feel good. If your business is burning you out, it’s time to design a different way to work.
Studies show that burnout reduces creativity and productivity, both of which are essential for entrepreneurs. The best way to sustain success is to build a business that supports your well-being.
5. “You Have to Say Yes to Everything”
The year my daughter Coco was born, I made a radical decision to say no to everything. That year turned out to be a breakthrough for my business.
It made me realize that saying yes to everything wasn’t moving my goals forward; it was just helping other people achieve theirs.
I used to think that every opportunity was a stepping stone to success, but in reality, many were just distractions. Saying no to speaking engagements, collaborations, and even podcast interviews gave me the space to focus on my own business and create my best work.
What I Learned:
Every yes takes energy away from something else. If it’s not moving your vision forward, it’s okay to say no.
Studies on decision fatigue show that saying yes too often leads to burnout and lower-quality work. Protecting your time allows for focused success and deeper fulfillment.
Question the Playbook & Trust Yourself
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this it’s that: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to business. Just because something is popular advice doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you!
I want for you to constantly be filtering through your own filter as to what advice is meant for you, what makes sense for you, what resonates with you, and what is exciting to you. Give yourself permission to leave anything else behind without guilt, without shame, and without questioning your judgment!
So, friend, I hope you trust yourself. Question the playbook, and don’t be afraid to carve out your own path to success. A lot of business advice is overrated anyway! 😉
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