In the world of business, advice is the most abundant commodity. From LinkedIn thought leaders to the “Bank of Mommy and Daddy” success stories, everyone has a roadmap they want you to follow. But after turning over £13 million in three years, I’ve realized a hard truth, It’s that if you don’t understand your starting position, the best advice in the world can become your greatest liability.
You have to be very mindful of where you get your advice from. Business looks very different depending on your starting grid. You can start from poverty, the middle ground, or the top where nepotism provides a name and a safety net. At Inside Success, we started from nothing. When you start from zero, you aren’t just running a company; you are the first generation trying to build a legacy that didn’t exist before you.
The Power of the “Firsts”
When you start from nothing, your strategy isn’t about “scaling” in the traditional sense, it’s about the Logistics of the Firsts. You have to find your own way to get that first venue booking. You have to convince that first artist to support your vision. You have to hustle to sell that very first ticket.
If you take advice from someone who is part of a legacy brand or who has the “Bank of Mommy and Daddy” to fall back on, their perspective is skewed. They might tell you to “wait for the right opportunity” or “focus on the long-term brand play.” But when you are building from the mud, you don’t have the luxury of waiting for the perfect Disney moment. Not everyone gets to go to the prom. Not everyone gets that polished, cinematic start.
Authenticity in business means understanding your specific position on the journey and the unique role you play. Success is entirely possible, but only if you have a strategy that matches your reality.
Position vs. Information
The great thing about the world we live in now is that we can access information at lightning pace. We can see how the giants move and how the Venture Capitalists (VCs) think. But information is not the same as execution.
The key is to know your play. I am currently getting myself and my businesses VC-ready, not by following a generic template, but by looking at business from a holistic, logistic perspective. Being VC-ready means proving that you can navigate the “slanted pitch” and still produce 8-figure results. It’s about showing that you understand the mechanics of growth when the wind is blowing against you.
Building the Safety Net
I don’t knock the support others receive. In fact, that is exactly what I am fighting for—to create a situation where the youth we work with and the generation coming after us finally get that support. I want to build the “fountain” so they don’t have to go looking for water.
But until we reach that point, you must be a realist. If you are a first-generation builder, you cannot use a map designed for someone who started at the finish line. You have to be authentic to your struggle because that is where your edge lies.
The Bottom Line
Your strategy is determined by your position. Before you let a piece of advice enter your boardroom, ask yourself:
- Does this person understand the “Firsts”?
- Does this strategy work without a safety net?
- Is this advice for a legacy brand or a builder?
We’ve proven that you can generate tens of millions through sheer operational grit. We’ve proven that you can build an empire without a head start. But you only win if you stay true to the play you’re actually in.
Know your play. Know your position. And build your own table.
David Sonowo is the CEO of Inside Success
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