If you missed my last newsletter about My Story podcast with Dariush Soudi, I recommend you hit that replay button. We dove deep into the journey – from building the biggest strip club operation in the UK to losing it all and coming back stronger.

But that was just the beginning.

Now, I’m pulling back the curtain on the 25 lessons I’ve learned after 25 years of business, investment, and everything in between. If the podcast gave you the “why,” this gives you the “how.”

To read on, keep scrolling.

25 Hard-Won Lessons You Can Bank On

1. Be fundamentally different, not incrementally better. Uniqueness is your advantage.

2. One is the most dangerous number. Never depend on one source of anything – leads, suppliers, or clients.

3. Learn to say no. Focus on what truly moves the needle.

4. Build your network before you need it. Your relationships are your safety net.

5. Live below your means. Use money as a tool for freedom, not a source of stress.

6. Hire slow, fire fast. A bad hire can kill momentum—cut your losses quickly.

7. Everything begins with leads. Marketing and sales drive the entire machine.

8. Every role is sales. In business or life, you’re always selling an idea, a vision, or yourself.

9. Funnels and ladders = revenue. Multiple offers for different price points? That’s where the big money is.

10. Patience wins. Those who play the long game win the biggest rewards.

11. A real CEO doesn’t do the grind. Your job is vision and strategy, not the daily grind.

12. Invest in yourself. Books, courses, mentors—never stop learning.

13. Sell painkillers, not vitamins. Offer solutions to urgent problems, and people will pay top dollar.

14. Talent needs structure. A plan turns raw talent into consistent results.

15. You can’t change people. Influence, guide, but let them change when they’re ready.

16. Ask for forgiveness, not permission. Bold moves pay off—clean up the mess later if needed.

17. Don’t ask a cat to bark. Align tasks with strengths—misalignment is a recipe for disaster.

18. You’re pricing too low. Charge what you’re worth. Price signals value.

19. The customer isn’t always right. Set boundaries—some clients are not worth the headache.

20. Scalable systems win. Document everything. Systems last longer than any individual.

21. Simplify your personal life. Chaos at home equals chaos at work. Simplify both.

22. Stick to what works. Pragmatism over trend-chasing. Stay grounded in what brings results.

23. Problems have price tags. Use money to remove obstacles. It’s a tool—use it wisely.

24. Save a portion of every win. Consistency in saving beats sporadic big wins.

25. Brand beats everything. Your brand is your competitive edge—make it unforgettable.

Check out my full video where I break down these 25 lessons and how they played out in real-time:

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