What I’ve learned in 20+ years of building startups

What I've learned in 20+ years of building startups.

What I’ve learned in 20+ years of building startups…

In the fast-paced world of startups, two decades of experience can teach you invaluable lessons. From the trenches of entrepreneurial ventures, here are the distilled wisdom and key takeaways from a seasoned startup veteran’s 20-plus-year journey.

What I've learned in 20+ years of building startups
What I’ve learned in 20+ years of building startups

What I’ve learned in 20+ years of building startups – Summary: The journey of building startups for over 20 years has yielded several crucial lessons:

  1. Fail Well: Failure is a common part of the startup process, with success in only a fraction of attempts. It’s important to accept failure as a stepping stone.
  2. Persistence: The key to overall success often lies in sheer perseverance and the refusal to quit, even in the face of early failures.
  3. The Power of ‘No’: Turning down opportunities, especially during financially tough times, is crucial to avoid burnout and stay true to your goals.
  4. Work Smart and Hard: While enjoying your work is vital, readiness to put in extra effort when needed is equally important.
  5. Start Slowly: For new businesses, especially online, it’s advisable to start small and avoid getting entangled in bureaucracy before proving the business model.
  6. Be Cautious with Growth: Rapid expansion can lead to financial strain. It’s better to grow at a sustainable pace.
  7. Avoid Corporate Pitfalls: As businesses grow, maintaining a customer-centric and enjoyable work culture is essential, avoiding the trap of becoming overly corporate.
  8. Embrace Remote Work: If possible, allowing remote work can save costs and increase employee productivity.
  9. Simplicity in Tools: Using too many apps and tools can be counterproductive. Stick to a few that work best for your team.
  10. Maintain Relationships: Keeping doors open with past collaborators is crucial, as business landscapes and relationships are ever-changing.

What I’ve learned in 20+ years of building startups – Lessons Learned in Detail

  1. Fail Well. You’ve heard it a million times before: ideas are easy; execution is hard. Execution is incredibly hard. And even if something works well for a while, it might not work sustainably forever. I fail a lot. I’d say my ideas are successful maybe 2/10 times, and that’s probably going easy on myself.

  2. Keep Going. The difference between overall success and failure, is usually as simple as not quitting. Most people don’t have the stomach for point #1 and give up way too quickly.

  3. Saying No. Especially if you didn’t have a particularly good month and it’s coming up on the 1st (bill time), it’s hard to say “No” to new income, but if you know it’s something you’ll hate doing, it could be better in the long-run to not take it or else face getting burnt out.

  4. Work Smart (and sometimes hard). I would hazard to guess that most of us do this because we hate the limitations and grind of the traditional 9-5? Most of us are more likely to be accused of being workaholics rather than being allergic to hard work, but it certainly helps if you enjoy what you do. That said, it can’t be cushy all the time. Sometimes you gotta put in a little elbow grease.

  5. Start Slow. I’ve helped many clients start their own businesses and I always try to urge them to pace themselves. They want instant results and they put the cart before the horse. Especially for online businesses, you don’t need a business license, LLC, trademark, lawyer, and an accountant before you’ve even made your first dollar! Prove that the thing actually works and is making enough money before worrying about all the red tape.

  6. Slow Down Again (when things start to go well). Most company owners get overly excited when things start to go well, start hiring more people, doing whatever they can to pour fuel on the fire, but usually end up suffocating the fire instead. Wait, just wait. Things might plateau or take a dip and suddenly you’re hemorrhaging money.

  7. Fancy Titles. At a certain stage of growth, egos shift, money changes people. What was once a customer-centric company that was fun to work at becomes more corporate by the day. Just because “that’s the way they’ve always done it” in terms of the structure of dino corps of old, that’s never a good reason to keep doing it that way.

  8. Stay Home. If your employee’s work can be done remotely, why are you wasting all that money on office space just to stress your workers out with commute and being somewhere they resent being, which studies have shown only make them less productive anyway?

  9. Keep it Simple. Don’t follow trends and sign you or your team up for every new tool or app that comes along just because they’re popular. Basecamp, Slack, Signal, HubSpot, Hootsuite, Google Workspace, Zoom (I despise Zoom), etc. More apps doesn’t mean more organization. Pick one or two options and use them to their full potential.

  10. Keep Doors Open. While you’ll inevitably become too busy to say “Yes” to everything, try to keep doors open for everyone you’ve already established a beneficial working relationship with. Nothing lasts forever, and that might be the lesson I learned the harshest way of all. More on that below…


What I’ve learned in 20+ years of building startups: A personal note that might be helpful to anyone who’s struggling

Some years back (around 2015), we sold the company my partner and I built that was paying our salaries. During those years, I closed a lot of doors, especially with clients because I was cushy with my salary, and didn’t want to spend time on other relationships and hustles I previously built up over the years.

I had a really rough few years after we sold and the money ran out where I almost threw in the towel and went back to a traditional 9-5 job. I could barely scrape rent together and went without groceries for longer than I’m comfortable admitting.

There’s no shame in doing what you’ve gotta do to keep food on the table, but the thought of “going back” was deeply depressing for me. Luckily, I managed to struggle my way through, building up clients again.

What I’ve learned in 20+ years of building startups – Conclusion:

Navigating the world of startups requires a balance of resilience, strategic decision-making, and adaptability. The lessons learned over two decades in the startup ecosystem are not just strategies but guiding principles for sustainable success and growth in the dynamic world of entrepreneurship.


If you’re curious about how I make money, most of it has been made building custom products for WordPress.

Source: r/Entrepreneur

What I’ve learned in 20+ years of building startups – References:

  1. Entrepreneurship Blogs and Websites: Look for blogs from successful entrepreneurs or business coaches. Sites like Entrepreneur (entrepreneur.com), Forbes Entrepreneurs Section (https://forbes.com/entrepreneurs), and Harvard Business Review (hbr.org) often have valuable articles on startup strategies and entrepreneurial journeys.
  2. Startup Case Studies: Websites like Inc. Magazine (inc.com) and Fast Company (fastcompany.com) frequently publish case studies and stories about startups and entrepreneurial experiences.
  3. Business and Tech News Websites: Platforms like TechCrunch (techcrunch.com), Business Insider (businessinsider.com), and The Wall Street Journal’s Business section (https://wsj.com/news/business) are good for staying updated on the latest in startup trends and business strategies.
  4. Remote Work and Productivity Tools Blogs: For insights on remote work and productivity tools, check out blogs from companies like Basecamp (basecamp.com), Slack (https://slack.com/blog), and Zoom (blog.zoom.us).
  5. Online Business Forums and Communities: Websites like Reddit’s Entrepreneur subreddit (https://reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur) or startup-focused forums on sites like Quora (quora.com) can provide real-world advice and experiences from various business owners.
  6. LinkedIn Articles and Thought Leaders: Following successful entrepreneurs and business thought leaders on LinkedIn can provide you with a plethora of insights and firsthand accounts of business experiences.
  7. Business and Entrepreneurship Books: Websites of authors who have written extensively on startups and entrepreneurship, such as Guy Kawasaki or Seth Godin, often have blogs and articles that are invaluable to entrepreneurs.

Examining the Fragmented Data on Black Entrepreneurship in North America

Entrepreneur Our community brings together individuals driven by a shared commitment to problem-solving, professional networking, and collaborative innovation, all with the goal of making a positive impact. We welcome a diverse range of pursuits, from side projects and small businesses to venture-backed startups and solo ventures. However, this is a space for genuine connection and exchange of ideas, not self-promotion. Please refrain from promoting personal blogs, consulting services, books, podcasts, MLMs,

  • How being under capitalized screws you
    by /u/Bangy-bangy on October 11, 2024 at 11:45 am

    Woken out of my sleep thinking about how to pay for $167k in inventory so I don’t loose the customers and traction that we have built Last Monday my supplier decided that he was going to be a dick and stopped offering terms with out notice. For the past 2+ years we have had a working arrangement where we have paid of the balance over 30-60 days , while a new order was being made. The supplier knows he is fucking us but he doesn’t care. The lessons learned are many; but not having enough cash or the proper debt stack is mission critical and can / will bankrupt you regardless of the sales you can bring in . And yes I’m applying to everything from loan shark mca to ar financing etc Also looking for a new supplier submitted by /u/Bangy-bangy [link] [comments]

  • I desperately need more Knowledge. Mentorship, or Schooling? Where to go! Help lol.
    by /u/KillingwithasmileXD on October 11, 2024 at 11:43 am

    I know I'm annoying but I need help. I am going to build the best wedding venue and miniture farm in my County. If I do it right, but without investors or grants, it's going to take 15- 20 years on my current income and I will need to scale down by half, limiting my projects potential earnings and employment opportunities. Im not willing to settle for anything less than what I want and my County has a gap in what I want to create. Everyone thinks I'm delusional, but im not reading these books for nothing and listening to every podcast topic related I can. The thing is I know I'm very ambitious. But also I believe I can create a vision and execute it if I get a really good team together. Which I know I can get people on board. I need to make sure I am interviewing the right people and asking the right questions. I know what I'm looking for, but I don't know EVERYTHING. In fact I'm clueless on grants. I'm bad at current technology, and I need Legal consultation, a financial advisor, USDA Organic Licensing information, Growhouse management, HR, Book Keeping, Land management, Farming Operations, Livestock Operations, Beehive Management, Soap Operations, Sales, Marketing, Customer Support, Shipping. and researching everything by myself and putting pieces together on top of working 60hrs of week. This project is a long term project, but yielding high profit. I can get it Operational in 4 years maybe less once I secure funding. I have to make some phone calls to get more information. But i work 3rd shift. I am going to build this. I have no help. But i really could use some. Im not scared of failing. But I'm scared of not making it happen. I feel like now that i have my vision and my Why, I would never forgive myself for trying. Should I go to school or hire a team of Mentors when I have cash? The goal is to be debt free in 18 months, but if I need more school I'd invest 50k into further education. I plan on replacing my current job into a industry specific job to learn a important skill. My first thought is Greenhouse Management because that's going to be a large part of my Operation and I need to know how they operate. I am currently seeking advice on my next moves. I am not willing to listen to anyone telling me it's not possible because I know it is and I'm going to do it, I just need help. Where do I get said information and help and how long will it take so I can plan accordingly. submitted by /u/KillingwithasmileXD [link] [comments]

  • Turning a job into a scalable business.
    by /u/justbusylivin on October 11, 2024 at 11:42 am

    As title suggests: has anybody here successfully turned their job into a scalable business? For example, I’m a copywriter and have worked in advertising. The last few years I’ve been working for myself and making between 50-70k a year. It’s been good, but I’d probably be better off in a job. I’m at a point where I’m thinking of “rebranding” my self employment and providing copywriting in a niche area (eg property). That way I can hire other freelancers to take on the workload so I can work on the actual business. Interested to hear thoughts on this and anybody with similar experience? I’m trying to move away from freelancing as it’s not financially better than a job at this point. submitted by /u/justbusylivin [link] [comments]

  • How to Raise Money for Further Development and Marketing? (Mobile game)
    by /u/Seedani on October 11, 2024 at 11:16 am

    I’m currently developing an iOS game and recently launched a TestFlight beta, which has brought in 60 users in the first week. While I believe crowdfunding could eventually be a viable option, my community is far too small to attempt that right now. I’ve been considering options like pitching to a game publisher or seeking seed funding to help finance marketing campaigns and additional development… However, I’m also wondering if it just makes more sense to continue developing at my own pace, relying on free methods to grow the community, as I’ve been doing so far?? Has anyone faced a similar situation? How did you approach funding with a small community? Any insights into pitching to publishers, seed funding, or alternative strategies would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! submitted by /u/Seedani [link] [comments]

  • Anyone find being an employee/working a 9-5/working W-2/etc. to feel much less secure, financially and otherwise, than entrepreneurship?
    by /u/RussianAsshole on October 11, 2024 at 11:16 am

    Every state in the US is an "at-will" state. You can wake up the next day and be fired for literally any reason, and employers WILL find the pettiest reasons to fire people like me (autism/ADHD). I have done great whenever I've worked for myself, and left a minimum wage job within less than a month; it was so damn unbearable. Your boss liking you is what determines how much money you make, your promotions, and the constant workplace politics are awful and disorienting, I don't care to ass kiss, I hate the idea of being a leader; I work far better alone where I can focus on deliverables and not social climbing my way to six figures. Nothing about corporate or "regular" jobs feels secure when so much of your success in them is determined on social politics and not on hard work and can be taken away from you like it's nothing so quickly. When you're meant to be an entrepreneur, you really will just know. Plus, you have full control over your time (to an extent) and can create multiple income streams with your abnormal working schedule. That makes me feel way more secure in my ability to support myself, the fact that my employment is in my own hands, than any job offering unlimited PTO that they're gonna make difficult for you to actually take anyway. submitted by /u/RussianAsshole [link] [comments]

  • Work Shirt
    by /u/garyv88 on October 11, 2024 at 10:29 am

    I want to invent a workwear range in Australia. My design is tight elasticated pockets to prevent pens and screwdrivers falling out. I would like it to be arc flash rated initially for electricians and geta a prototype made. I've made some enquires on made in China sites. No reply yet. I think it's a simple yet good idea. Any advice? submitted by /u/garyv88 [link] [comments]

  • Problem Solving App/Software for Entrepreneur
    by /u/infernal1999 on October 11, 2024 at 10:10 am

    What kind of problem do we all entrepreneurs have yet no software or app still exists today? submitted by /u/infernal1999 [link] [comments]

  • What are your biggest predictions of AI in 2025?
    by /u/Hungry-Scholar2022 on October 11, 2024 at 10:08 am

    This year has been like the renaissance of Gen AI. There were so many amazing video and image generation/enhancing models. What industries or models do you think will surge in 2025? (humanoid robots perhaps?) submitted by /u/Hungry-Scholar2022 [link] [comments]

  • Slack to manage beta users?
    by /u/niuhas on October 11, 2024 at 9:54 am

    Hi, we want to set up a channel where we could manage our Beta users, get feedback etc. Slack seems a bit expensive at $10 per EVERY user. But one thing I don't fully understand is, "single channel users" that come free. So does that mean, that I can have unlimited single channels and have my clients in those single channels, and then only pay for my team members (that will be into all the channels) as active users? Or maybe you know better alternatives? Thanks a lot submitted by /u/niuhas [link] [comments]

  • Posting "Call to Arms" on YouTube for Co Founders.
    by /u/KillingwithasmileXD on October 11, 2024 at 9:33 am

    I've been posting alot I get it. But i don't have a mentor or coach. I have come up with the idea of posting on YouTube shorts and Tik Tok for a call to Arms to enlist possible CoFounders for my project. I am so motivated and excited to make this work I want to share my plan with everyone. Thoughts and ppossible problems? submitted by /u/KillingwithasmileXD [link] [comments]

  • Seeking Advice and Connections for Handmade Carpet Business
    by /u/Dear-Implement-6853 on October 11, 2024 at 8:59 am

    Hello everyone, I hope you’re all doing well. I am a manufacturer of handmade carpets and rugs based in India. My family and I have been crafting these beautiful pieces for many years, and we take great pride in our work. However, recently, I’ve noticed a decline in the number of custom orders from interior designers, which has been quite concerning. I’ve tried reaching out via email to various designers, but unfortunately, I haven’t received any responses. I’m really looking for some advice on how to better connect with interior designers and attract more clients who appreciate the craftsmanship of handmade rugs. If anyone here has experience in this area or can offer any tips, I would greatly appreciate it. Additionally, if there’s anyone who can help me secure larger orders of handmade carpets and rugs, it would be incredibly beneficial for my business. Thank you so much for your time and support! submitted by /u/Dear-Implement-6853 [link] [comments]

  • I need your help: how do I start a Personal Trainer business in a new city from zero ?
    by /u/notsolurking on October 11, 2024 at 6:53 am

    Just like the title says. I'm planing to move to the capital of my country, I have zero connections but I do know How to be a Personal Trainer very well and I know I can succeed. But is there a way to start from scratch without working for a Comercial Gym first ? Do I build a Landing Page, logo and social and use ads ? Do I knock on doors and give out cards ? Both ? I have a Campervan so I can use the mentality of a startup and cut costs on rent. Would really appreciate your advice. submitted by /u/notsolurking [link] [comments]

  • Offer Equal Shares to Co Founders?
    by /u/KillingwithasmileXD on October 11, 2024 at 6:24 am

    I'm launching a big project and I need help. It's an organic mini farm and Wedding Venue. I understand this is more than I can do alone and I need outside funding. Im looking to take on at least 10 CoFounders to help with this project. I feel that it's only fair to offer equal equity in the project as I expect everyone to contribute. Im looking close to a 2 million dollar investment. I need Marketing, Sales Lead, Grant Writing and legal, land management, Gardeners and Farmers, HR, Technology Support, etc. Together we are going to write a fool proof business plan to pitch to investors and Apply for Grants. We will also focus on producing our own capital towards the project. I plan on making it upscale. In my community there is a lack of what I am wanting to offer. I plan on creating jobs, and providing a family friendly environment for the community to visit. I will have a store front, and I plan on Marketing to upscale restaurants, stores, and people in the community. I will have a large online presence. I plan on being to standard for wedding venues in my area. I feel that i don't deserve more than my CoFounders because I recognize what others can bring to the table. I know I'm not more qualified than anyone else. Is it reasonable to offer equal shares? submitted by /u/KillingwithasmileXD [link] [comments]

  • I can’t focus, am I burnt out?
    by /u/make-dough on October 11, 2024 at 6:05 am

    It's been about 1 year of running a software business, and my revenue has been stagnant for the past 8 months. Deep down I know I should be grinding to get my revenue to levels that I am aiming for, whether that may be updating the software, writing content for my blogs, reaching out to potential clients, etc, but for the past few months I really don't know why but I cannot focus. I can't seem to sit down and just 'work'. All I do is binge on some Alex Hormozi-type entrepreneur dopamine content on YouTube and Twitter, infinite scrolling. But it's not that I don't have a goal or anything. It's more like, when I am writing a new blog, in my head I think about "hmm maybe it's rather better to spend this time programming". And similarly when I code, in my head I think about "why am I wasting so much time for this little feature, why not just reach out to more clients". And the loop goes on and I eventually not achieving anything. The worst part is, after a few weeks I regret not focusing on anything. Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar place, and if any solutions worked. I really want to get out of this loop and start making progress. Thanks guys. submitted by /u/make-dough [link] [comments]

  • Montana Knife Company: Three Years to Eight Figures
    by /u/capitalfriday on October 11, 2024 at 5:14 am

    https://preview.redd.it/5bncmh8i92ud1.png?width=1166&format=png&auto=webp&s=076d1c24667519b9f43b300272b5a4b3cc047ec7 https://preview.redd.it/wn7wsi8i92ud1.jpg?width=1240&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b4062efe41388912f395eb31f83f1bf6c63f8a6 https://preview.redd.it/jav00k8i92ud1.png?width=620&format=png&auto=webp&s=487bd574d32706496db0ad7897bcd444b7c1f52e Montana Knife Company: Three Years to Eight Figures This is how you build a business. Make an amazing product. Shake your customers hand. Charge what its worth. Let’s get into it! Josh Smith started making knives when he was 11 years old. By 12 he joined the American Bladesmith Society. When Josh was 19 he undertook the test to become a Master Bladesmith (didn’t know that was a thing!). It included crafting a knife that could cut through a one-inch rope, chop through a 2x4, shave hair and bend 90 degrees without breaking (wtf?). He passed and became the youngest Master Bladesmith in the world. The next period in Josh’s life was anything but certain. It never seemed time to start the knife making company he dreamed of. The years passed. He did custom knives, took a job as a lineman, got divorced and raised four kids as a single dad. But the dream stayed alive and he took a few prototype knives to an event in South Carolina where he met Brandon Horoho. At first Brandon just worked on the website and marketing materials, but Josh quickly realized Brandon was an asset and offered him a partnership. In the fall of 2020 the Montana Knife Company was officially launched. Boom! Here you have one of approximately 120 master bladesmiths in the entire world leading a knife company. Not a suit with an excel spreadsheet. And what comes out of the factory? The first knife was the Blackfoot 2.0. A fixed knife that would be a work horse for hunters. They decided to launch them as weekly drops and the first one sold out in 14 minutes. The business quickly grew and with the pandemic shutting down supply chains they struggled to get enough of the high quality 52-100 ball bearing steel they used to make the knives. But they kept at it and continued to grow. They didn’t use ads. Instead they travelled to hunting expos and archery events. The thought was that the quality was so high that if someone held it they would buy it. It worked. Side note: in a world where product companies pride themselves on throwing money at Meta I find this refreshing. If you have an amazing product it can become the marketing (or at least a major part of it). Within three years they reached over $10 million in sales. They’ve expanded into 12-13 skus that are sold in the same six colors and recently started making chef’s knives. This is super interesting. Did Josh just launch his own chef’s knife? I mean he’s a Master Bladesmith… Nope. He worked with Mareko Maumasi, one of the country’s best culinary knife makers. How’s it going? Based on the website, where every culinary knife is sold out… I’d say it’s going pretty well. Oh and they cost $300-500 each. Other Interesting notes from the DTC Podcast with Brandon Horoho: •They drop knives every week now and are scheduled out for 18 months •The day they launched their “in stock” knives they had the largest increase in customers ever, some customers don’t want to participate in the “drop” model •“Branding is more about saying no to things than saying yes to things” •Want to have a knife from first blood to last bite •They’re seeing less teens hunt •Collaborations have worked well •First chef knife drop sold out in three minutes •Weekly vlog that covers what is going on with the company and in the shop is doing really well •They’re expanding into folding knives (which account for 90% of sales for other knife companies) •Look to brands like Rolex that make products to pass down to your kids •Want to grow to $50-100 million, but not in the next 2-3 years Want more entrepreneur stories for entrepreneurs? Sign up for the Capital Friday Newsletter! submitted by /u/capitalfriday [link] [comments]

  • Business had a good year, I've got $100k cash with no distinct purpose. What are some businesses I can start that are semi-passive (5-10 hours per week) but still have a decent return?
    by /u/dutythink2654 on October 11, 2024 at 3:41 am

    As stated in the title, I have some extra cash, which is a situation I'm not really used to being in. I have 100k in cash that I want to use to diversify my income. The business I own is in the sign and graphics industry, and I work a typical 40-50 hours per week most of the time, with the occasional 60+ during our busy season. I'd like to use the capital to start another business that maybe takes a little elbow grease on the setup, and is low maintenance for the rest of the time. I could dedicate 5-10 hours per week, but would like to keep it closer to 5. I'm okay with a little risk. Franchises seem pretty nice but I don't know anything about the food industry and would prefer to stay out of it unless the opportunity was right. What are your experiences with a business that fits this description, and what would you do? submitted by /u/dutythink2654 [link] [comments]

  • I took one book of clients (beauty industry) into 1m in sales in 4 years with less than 1,000 Ig followers.
    by /u/mustbethepapaya on October 11, 2024 at 1:56 am

    Reading stories of successful entrepreneurs always gave me courage, so I’m sharing my story for anyone who needs a push! I was a busy service provider and decided to leave my toxic environment during peak Covid (June 2020). I opened my business with one book of clients (my own) and one employee (my assistant). Today I have 7 employees that bring home the top 1% in my industry with 4 day work weeks (no weekends), unlimited time off, and company matched health insurance and 401k’s. My GP is around 30% year over year & I’m personally taking home over $250k. It may not be much to some, but I’m fkn elated!!! Just here for any advice going forward, inspiration, and to answer any questions that may be helpful. All the best! submitted by /u/mustbethepapaya [link] [comments]

  • Yelp's algorithm is hurting small businesses—I’m standing up, and here's why
    by /u/the__poseidon on October 11, 2024 at 1:52 am

    To my fellow small business owners, Many of us are already aware of the damage Yelp has caused to our businesses. Like so many of you, I’ve experienced the frustration of watching Yelp distort the hard-earned reputation of my business, and I’ve decided it’s time to stand up and speak out. We know the issues with Yelp’s algorithm: Yelp’s algorithm disproportionately highlights negative reviews while hiding the majority of positive ones. In my case, out of 101 reviews, only 37 are visible, and nearly half of those are negative. Meanwhile, 64 reviews—97% of which are positive—are hidden in the “not recommended” section. These reviews are buried and invisible to most prospective customers. It’s a system that misrepresents our businesses and distorts the truth. We work hard to serve our customers, and Yelp’s algorithm completely undermines that effort. It gets worse: When potential customers search for my business, Yelp consistently shows up in the search results. Worse still, it immediately displays my 3.0 rating, a number that’s heavily skewed by the way Yelp hides positive feedback and emphasizes negative reviews. This misleading rating is often the first thing people see in search results if they don't look in GMB, and it hurts my business. I’ve even seen Yelp accused of using pay-for-play tactics, where businesses are pressured to purchase ads in exchange for better visibility of their positive reviews. These accusations have been explored in the documentary Billion Dollar Bully and countless Reddit posts. For many of us, this feels like an impossible choice—pay up or have your reputation distorted. What I’m doing about it: I refuse to engage in this pay-for-play system. Instead, I’ve updated all my business descriptions and responses to explain to customers what’s happening. I want to ensure they’re informed, and I encourage them to check the 64 hidden reviews—only 2 of which are negative—to see the full picture. I also guide them to Google Reviews, where my business has a much more accurate reflection of customer satisfaction—4.6 and 4.7 stars from hundreds of reviews. This gives a far more honest representation of the quality of our services than Yelp’s skewed 3.0 rating. For positive reviews, I take the opportunity to thank customers, but also inform them that 97% of our positive feedback is hidden by Yelp. I encourage them to watch the documentary Billion Dollar Bully and search for “Yelp hiding reviews” to learn more about these troubling practices. The reality is bleak, but fuck Yelp: Yelp refuses to allow businesses to delete their pages, claiming that "Business pages on Yelp are maintained as a matter of public record." So, like many of you, I’m stuck with a Yelp page that does more harm than good. This is not a decision we made lightly—we built our businesses from the ground up, and having our reputations manipulated like this is unacceptable. I know many of you have experienced similar issues. This isn’t just about one company; it’s about how Yelp’s practices are affecting small businesses across the board. We don’t have the resources to fight this on their terms, but we can take a stand by educating our customers and calling out Yelp’s unfair practices. TL;DR: Yelp’s algorithm hides 97% of my positive reviews and prominently displays a 3.0 rating despite having 4.6-4.7 stars on Google Reviews. I refuse to participate in Yelp’s pay-for-play system and have updated my business description, and review responses to educate customers about Yelp's practices. Fellow small business owners, we need to stand together and push for change. submitted by /u/the__poseidon [link] [comments]

  • Celebrating my first $600+ day in my small business—hard work is paying off!
    by /u/PureWizardry on October 10, 2024 at 11:43 pm

    I started a dog walking/pet sitting business one year and 10 days ago with my wife. It's organically built up to where a lot of our days are two or three hundred dollars a day. Busy days are $500+. However, today, we just had our first $600 day. And by 3:30PM all the hard work is done... We started with no business experience, limited knowledge and no special degrees or certifications. I feel like I'm finally in charge of my own destiny. Hoping a year from now I'm breaking into the thousand dollar a day territory. Had to tell somebody! submitted by /u/PureWizardry [link] [comments]

  • Please explain tax write offs to me as if I were a child.
    by /u/EhukaiMaint on October 10, 2024 at 10:40 pm

    Thank you submitted by /u/EhukaiMaint [link] [comments]

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Top 1000 Canada Quiz and trivia: CANADA CITIZENSHIP TEST- HISTORY - GEOGRAPHY - GOVERNMENT- CULTURE - PEOPLE - LANGUAGES - TRAVEL - WILDLIFE - HOCKEY - TOURISM - SCENERIES - ARTS - DATA VISUALIZATION
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Exploring the Pros and Cons of Visiting All Provinces and Territories in Canada.
Exploring the Pros and Cons of Visiting All Provinces and Territories in Canada

Exploring the Advantages and Disadvantages of Visiting All 50 States in the USA
Exploring the Advantages and Disadvantages of Visiting All 50 States in the USA


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