10 Things Owning a Business Taught Me that I Didn’t Learn in School

2025-05-06

Education is important, but so much of business and leadership can only be learned by experience. In this episode, Alex talks about 10 of the biggest lessons he’s learned from the act of running a business — and why they aren’t things he could learn from a textbook or a lecture. From people management, to embracing your core values, to finances, this episode is packed with practical tips and insights! Information isn’t the gap between failure and success—action is. Path for Growth’s 1-on-1 coaching helps you create a plan and execute on w...

Information isn’t the gap between failure and success—action is. Path for Growth’s 1-on-1 coaching helps you create a plan and execute on what matters most for your business. Apply today at pathforgrowth.com/coaching.

Episode Recap:

Many parts of business can only be learned through experience
1. The fact that people say they like your idea doesn’t mean they will pay for it
2. Most things that make a business valuable are gritty, boring, and mundane
3. Leadership books are often written about black and white ideals, but most of leadership happens in the gray zone
4. There are insane ramifications to the way you structure incentives
5. If you want to lead, be prepared to apologize a lot
6. There are certain decisions you can make early that will make your business more simple, streamlined and effective
7. Everyone is just making it up as they go
8. You need a process to slow down, understand, and learn from your mistakes
9. “People get funny when it comes to money,” so prioritize clarity even when you think it isn’t needed
10. Don’t be fooled by overly charismatic personalities

If you’re ready to move beyond just gathering information and start executing on what truly matters, Path for Growth’s 1-on-1 coaching can help. Apply now at pathforgrowth.com/coaching.

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