Your success, my mission | 3x founder & CEO | Former CIO $4B company | DEIB ally | Sharing 24 years of hard-earned leadership & self-mastery wisdom

My purpose is to inspire and empower individuals to unleash their potential and create a positive impact in the world.

I believe success is a byproduct of helping others, and the best leaders create other leaders.

When you:
set a clear vision,
lead by example, and
empower your people,
they give you their best
and you all win together.

🔭 Former Corporate Exec | 🌱 Entrepreneur | 💡 Founder | 📚 Lifelong Learner

After 22 years of corporate life and reaching the pinnacle, I stepped off the high-wire to begin a new chapter.

Trading the executive suite of a $4B global powerhouse for the excitement of entrepreneurship, I'm now spreading knowledge, innovation, and transformation.

Through 5 major career transitions, I evolved from a VP of Marketing & Sales to Division President, and ultimately, CIO.

But behind every business transaction, there's a face. I firmly believe that people are the heart and soul of any endeavor. I owe my success to the great teams I've been a part of and the wise mentors who guided me. My advice for aspiring leaders:

Be bold.
Be curious.
Be authentic.
Be respectful.
Be transparent.
Be growth-minded.
And success will follow.

Today, as an entrepreneur, I've swapped corporate structure for startup passion, partnering with my wife as co-owners of a holding company, founding multiple business ventures, crafting 3 new brands, consulting growing companies, and extending my love of mentoring into coaching.

In between, you’ll find me nurturing my four personal passions: learning, writing, traveling, and gardening. They keep me rooted and help me grow. After all, isn't life one big, beautiful garden? Here’s to growing together! 🌱

Justin Wright

9 seconds could change your life.

That's how long it takes to make a choice that
defines your character.

I once worked with someone who taught me this lesson.

Aaron was always the first to help, even when no one
was watching.

He'd stay late to finish a project, refusing to cut corners.

In meetings, he'd give credit to others before himself.

One day, I asked him why he bothered.

His answer stuck with me:

"If you can't be trusted with the small stuff,
how can anyone trust you with the big stuff?"

He was right.

Good character isn't about:
— Grand gestures
— Public recognition
— Doing the right thing when it's easy

It's about:
— Quiet integrity
— Consistent kindness
— Doing the right thing, especially when it's hard

The truth is, we all face character tests daily:
— Do we own up to mistakes?
— Do we gossip about a coworker?
— Do we help without expecting anything?

These small decisions shape who we become.

Remember:

Your character is your real resume.

It's what people say about you when
you're not in the room.

So, next time you're faced with a choice,
take those 9 seconds. Make them count.

Build a character that makes you proud.

Agree? Disagree? I'd love to hear your thoughts below.

♻️ Repost to inspire someone in your network. Thanks!

Your success, my mission | CEO @ Polished Carbon | Former CIO $4B company | DEIB ally | Sharing 25 years of hard-won wisdom on people-first leadership + emotional intelligence + self-mastery

98% of successful people share this 1 thing:


Someone who believed in them before they "made it."

Think about that for a moment.

Behind every success story is someone who:

➟ Saw the spark early
➟ Took a chance
➟ Opened a door
➟ Stood up and said "I believe in them"

These people change lives.

Sometimes it's a manager who gives you that first shot at leadership.

Sometimes it's a mentor who says "You can do this" when you're ready to quit.

They see your potential.

Not your resume.
Not your track record.
Just pure, raw potential.

And here's the beautiful thing:

You can be that person for someone else.

Look around your workplace:

Who needs a chance?
Who shows up every day ready to learn?
Who has the right attitude but lacks experience?

Don't wait for others to discover them.

Be the one who says "I see something in you."
Be the one who takes a chance.
Be the one they remember years from now.

Because success isn't just about what you achieve.
It's about who you help achieve their dreams.

Who believed in you? And more importantly...

Who needs you to believe in them today?

♻️ Repost to inspire someone in your network.

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Most people never realize they're terrible listeners
until it costs them something important.

A promotion they deserved.
A relationship that mattered.
A team that stopped being honest with them.

I've watched leaders lose talented people
not because of strategy or compensation,
but because their team never felt heard.

And I've been that leader.

My wife will tell you I've perfected the art of
nodding while mentally drafting emails.

She's called me out more than once for
asking a question she literally just answered.

"Were you even listening?"

The honest answer? No.

I was performing listening while planning
something else.

Real listening happens in layers.
Most of us get stuck at the surface.

Level 1: Waiting to Talk
You're silent, but your mind is rehearsing your
response. The other person can feel it.

Level 2: Hearing Words
You catch fragments. You nod at the right moments.
But you're mentally somewhere else.

Level 3: Understanding the Message
You're actually focused. You listen to comprehend,
not to counter. This is where most people think
they've arrived. (They haven't.)

Level 4: Recognizing Emotions
You read between the lines. You notice the frustration
behind "I'm fine" or the fear behind "I'm not sure."

Level 5: Hearing What's Unsaid
You're fully present. You catch the hesitation,
the shift in tone, the thing they're struggling
to express.

The leaders who operate at level 5 don't just
hear problems faster. They prevent them entirely.

They build the kind of trust that makes
hard conversations possible.

They create environments where people speak up
before small issues become disasters.

Getting to level 5 doesn't require new skills.

Just caring enough to shut up and pay attention.

I'm still working on this.
Some days I nail it.

Other days my wife gives me that look
that says "you did it again."

Next time someone's talking to you,
notice where your mind goes.

Notice if you're crafting your response
while they're mid-sentence.

That self-awareness alone will change
how you lead.

♻️ Repost to help someone become a better listener.

P.S. Want a PDF of my 99 best cheat sheets?
Get them free: brilliancebrief.com

Happy at work? These 8 phrases might be why.

The culture can make your job fulfilling or draining.

In a healthy culture, certain phrases stand out.

They reflect values like:

➟ Trust 
➟ Growth 
➟ Respect 
➟ Recognition

When you hear these phrases, you feel valued.

You feel safe to share ideas and learn from mistakes.

You feel supported to collaborate and succeed.

These phrases create a positive environment.
One where people lift each other up.

A healthy workplace culture is powerful.
It starts with the words leaders choose.

Leaders, choose phrases that:

➟ Build trust
➟ Empower
➟ Inspire
➟ Unite

Words have the power to shape your team's success.

Use them wisely.
Use them often.

And always be sincere.

Be the leader who brings out greatness.

♻️ Agree? Repost to inspire someone in your network.

P.S. What phrase would you add to the list?

I used to think teamwork was just about
getting things done. Boy, was I wrong.

In my first leadership role, I pushed hard.

We hit every deadline.
But the energy was off.

People looked drained.
Disconnected.

Done, but not proud.

That’s when it hit me:

A group of people working together isn’t a team.
It’s just individuals sharing a calendar.

Real teams are built on something deeper:
✅ Trust that has your back
✅ Respect that values your voice
✅ Care that sees you as a person (not just an employee)

So I changed how I showed up.

I started listening more.
Asking questions that weren’t about work.
Showing appreciation without a reason.

The outcome?
More ideas
More smiles
More support

And yes, more results.
 
We weren’t just working together.
We were in it together.

Look...

You can force people to collaborate.
But you can’t force them to care.

That part is earned.
By how you show up.

True teams are built on relationships, not just results.

What’s your #1 tip for building real team trust?

♻️ Enjoy this? Repost to help a leader in your network.

To me, leadership is about believing in people.

It's looking for the best in them, and giving them
opportunities to show it.

Celebrating their wins as if they were your own.

Success comes from lifting others up.

A leader's true impact is seen in their team's growth.

Help others win.
Cheer for them along the way.

It doesn't take away from you.
It adds to you.

A leader's superpower is to bring out
the superpowers in others.

When you lift others, you rise too.

♻️ Agree? Repost to help others be better leaders.

Less than 25% of leaders show authenticity consistently.

A leader's style can be the difference between:
An employee quitting their dream job,
or growing into their true potential.

Most leaders obsess over what they accomplish.
Few pay attention to how they show up.

In my 24 years in business, I've learned:

True leadership isn't about perfection.
It's all about connection.

Own your vulnerability.
Admit when you're wrong.
Ask for help when you need it.

It's okay to be human.

Think about the best leader you ever had.

I bet they made you feel:

➟ Heard
➟ Valued
➟ Capable

That's the power of authentic leadership.

It's not about having all the answers.
It's about being real. Building trust. Inspiring growth.

Maya Angelou was right:

"People will forget what you said,
they'll forget what you did,
but they'll never forget
how you made them feel."

Be the leader who brings out the best in others.

Not by demanding perfection,
but by showing what's possible through authenticity.

The best part?

You already have everything you need.

Just be you.

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Thank you!

The moment fear enters your workplace,
something valuable walks out.

I see it in workplaces everywhere.

⛔ A leader who rules by intimidation.
⛔ A team that's too afraid to innovate.
⛔ Meetings filled with silence instead of ideas.

When you manage by fear:
• People focus on avoiding mistakes
• Energy goes to self-protection
• Growth becomes impossible

This isn't leadership. It's control.

True leaders understand that:
✅ Support produces better results than threats
✅ Kindness builds stronger teams than fear
✅ EQ spots problems before they grow

The numbers back this up.

Teams led with empathy consistently:
• Solve problems more creatively
• Perform better under pressure
• Adapt to change faster
• Stay together longer

Fear might get short-term compliance.
But it kills long-term excellence.

The choice is simple.

Lead with fear, and watch people shrink.
Lead with heart, and watch them soar.

Your team is capable of brilliance.
But only when they're not afraid to shine.

♻️ Repost if this resonates with you.
Thank you!

Trust is a leader's only real job.

Not strategy. Not vision. Not goals.

Trust.

You can have the best plans in the world.
But if your people don't trust you.
They won't follow you.

If they don't trust each other.
They won't collaborate.

And without trust,
even brilliant strategies
produce mediocre results.

I've seen it happen.

A team with all the talent in the world.
Great ideas. Clear direction.
But no trust.

So people held back.

Played it safe.
Watched their own backs.
Nothing moved forward.

Trust is the multiplier.
Without it, everything else falls flat.

Here's how great leaders build it:

1. Do what you say you'll do.
Always.
Consistent actions speak volumes.

2. Own it when you're wrong.
Your team already knows.
Admitting it builds respect.

3. Share information freely.
Hoarding it creates suspicion.
Transparency creates safety.

4. Have hard conversations early.
Avoiding them erodes trust.
Having them with compassion build it.

5. Back your people publicly.
Defend them when they're not in the room.

6. Give credit generously.
Take blame personally.
This is non-negotiable.

7. Be consistent.
Predictability isn't boring.
It's the foundation of psychological safety.

Your people are always watching.

Not what you say. What you do.

Lead with trust. Everything else follows.

What would you add to this list?
Let's learn from each other.

♻️ Repost to help a leader in your network.
Thanks!

You can't control much in life,
but these 22 things you always can:

1. Your Attitude
Opt for a positive outlook.
 
2. Your Integrity
Stick to your values, even when it's hard.
 
3. Your Courage
Face your fears and grow.
 
4. Your Kindness
A small act can change someone's day.
 
5. Your Influence
Be the leader you'd follow.
 
6. Your Actions
Make decisions you'll be proud of later.
 
7. Your Boundaries
Say no when you need to.
 
8. Your Effort
Push through when it gets tough.

9. Your Circle
Surround yourself with supportive people.
 
10. Your Self-Belief
Believe you can, and you will.
 
11. Your Excuses
Kill them before they kill your dreams.
 
12. Your Goals
Set them high, but achievable.
 
13. Your Focus
Choose where you direct your attention.
 
14. Your Limits
Break them, then set new ones.
 
15. Your Time
Prioritize what matters most to you.
 
16. Your Words
Speak positively to yourself and others.
 
17. Your Self-Care
Make time for yourself every day.
 
18. Your Silence
Speak up, even when it's unpopular.
 
19. Your Inner Critic
Put it in its place.
 
20. Your Mindset
Shift from fixed to growth thinking.
 
21. Your Purpose
Align your actions with your mission.
 
22. Your Gratitude
Count your blessings, no matter how small.

Your power starts and ends with you 💪.

Master these... and your world transforms.

You're not a passenger in life.
You're the driver.

P.S. Which of the 22 is most important to you?
Any I missed that you'd add?

♻️ If this resonates with you, repost for others too.
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Great leaders change lives.

12 things that make them memorable:

1. They Believe in You
↳ They see the potential you may not see in yourself.

2. They Trust You
↳ They give you the freedom to learn and grow.

3. They Lead by Example
↳ They show you the way through their own actions.

4. They Listen With Empathy
↳ They listen to understand, not just to reply.

5. They Respect Your Personal Life
↳ They value your time outside of work.

6. They Offer You Flexibility
↳ They make it easier to manage your responsibilities.

7. They Welcome Your Ideas
↳ They encourage you to share your perspective.

8. They Invest in Your Growth
↳ They support your development and career growth.

9. They Give You Honest Feedback
↳ Their constructive guidance helps you improve.

10. They Challenge You to Be Your Best
↳ They push you to stretch and reach your potential.

11. They Forgive Your Mistakes
↳ They create a safe environment for you and your team.

12. They Admit When They're Wrong
↳ They take responsibility for their mistakes.

Great leaders are human too.

They have bad days and make mistakes.

But you know they genuinely care about you.

They inspire you to be a better version of yourself.

If you've had a leader like this, you know how valuable they are.

They're the ones you remember long after you've moved on.

And if you're a leader now, be one like this for others.

Agree? Repost to share with your network ♻️. Thanks!

P.S. Know a leader like this? Tag them in the comments.

Want PDFs of my 99 best cheat sheets?
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This teacher does something that puts most leaders to shame.

Every morning, she stands at her classroom door.
Each student gets to choose how they're greeted.

A hug.
A bow.
A high-five.
A fist bump.
A silly dance.

17 kids. 17 different preferences. Zero assumptions.

She doesn't greet them the way she wants.
She greets them the way they need.

That's emotional intelligence in action.

It starts with curiosity.

Caring enough to learn what each person needs.
Not treating everyone the same.
Treating each as an individual.

The best leaders I know do this:
They learn each person's "greeting."

They ask:
→ How do you prefer to receive feedback?
→ What does support look like for you?
→ How do you want your wins celebrated?

It takes more effort than a one-size-fits-all approach.

But it builds something you can't fake:
Trust.

When people feel seen as individuals,
(not just workers filling a role)
they show up differently.

They give more.
They stay longer.
They fight for your success.

Emotional intelligence isn't a soft skill.

It's a leadership superpower.

♻️ Repost to help leaders in your network.

(Video credit: Unknown)

Brutal truth: Your customer experience will never
exceed your employee experience.

Most leaders get it backward.

They obsess over customer satisfaction while
their teams burn out in the background.

25 years in business have taught me one thing
more than anything else:

Your customers will never be happier than your people.

Think about it.

Who's answering that support call at 8pm?
Who's staying late to fix that urgent problem?
Who's going above and beyond for your clients?

Your team.

And when they feel

➟ Undervalued
➟ Underpaid
➟ Unheard

That energy shows up in every customer interaction.

I learned this the hard way at a previous company.

We lost 3 top performers in one month.

Customer complaints doubled.
Response times tripled.
Revenue took a hit.

So we flipped our priorities:

✓ Team wellbeing before quarterly targets
✓ Investment in people before new tech
✓ Flexibility before rigid policies
✓ Recognition before criticism

The results?
Customer satisfaction hit record highs.
Employee turnover dropped 90%.
Profits followed naturally.

Look... your employees are your first customers.

When you take care of them,
they take care of everything else.

Start there. Always start there.

♻️ Repost to help others build a positive culture.
Thanks!

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9 mindsets I see in every successful person:

They're not born with them.

They develop them through daily habits.

And you can too. Here's how:

1. Embrace curiosity.
↳ Ask questions. Invite new perspectives.
↳ Learning isn't a phase. It's a lifelong pursuit.

2. Focus on solutions.
↳ When problems arise, take a breath.
↳ Then ask: What can I do to fix this?

3. Reframe failure.
↳ Setbacks happen. Success is how you respond.
↳ Persistence beats talent every time.

4. Prioritize ruthlessly.
↳ Set clear goals. Say no to distractions.
↳ Consistency compounds. Small steps = big results.

5. Be resilient.
↳ Challenges will come. Prepare yourself mentally.
↳ When they hit, dig deep. Stay strong.

6. Seek wisdom.

↳ Surround yourself with people who inspire you.
↳ Listen to their stories. Learn from their mistakes.

7. Invest in yourself.
↳ Your health is your greatest asset.
↳ Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and exercise.

8. Keep your commitments.
↳ Long-term success is built on integrity.
↳ Do what you say. Show up on time.

9. Take responsibility. Give gratitude.
↳ Own your life. Your wins. Your losses.
↳ And be thankful for all of it.

Mindset is a choice.

You can't control everything that happens.
But you can always control your response.

Success is the sum of your daily choices.

It's not easy. But it's always worth it.

Agree? Repost to share with others ♻️.

P.S. Which trait do you see as most important?

Want PDFs of my 99 best cheat sheets?
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Your mindset decides your success.

I used to think success was about
skills and strategy.

Then I watched brilliant people fail
while "average" ones soared.

The difference? Their mindset.

6 steps to build a success mindset that works:

1. Know yourself. Really know yourself.
What lights you up?
What drains your energy?
Where are you holding back?

2. Get crystal clear on your non-negotiables.
These aren't just boundaries.
They're your compass for every decision.

Most people stop here. But there's more.

3. Master the 80/20 rule.
Focus on the few things that create real impact.
Cut the busywork that keeps you stuck.

4. Learn to say "no" without guilt.
Every "yes" to something unimportant
is a "no" to something that matters.

5. Choose your circle carefully.
The right people challenge you to grow.
The wrong ones keep you comfortable.

And here's the big one:

6. Show up. Especially when it's hard.
When motivation fades (it will),
let discipline carry you forward.

Small steps on tough days build
the resilience others envy.

Remember:

Your mindset isn't just how you think.
It's how you show up every day.

That's how you build success that lasts.

Make 2026 the year you master your mindset.

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Bad leaders think they wear a crown.
Good leaders wear a hat.
Great leaders?

They wear 10.

Because your team doesn't need just one kind of support.

They need the right kind. At the right time.

That’s what great leaders understand.
They don’t cling to one identity.
They adapt. They serve.

They know when to wear:

1/ The Mentor
➟ Share wisdom without preaching
➟ Guide, don’t control
➟ Help them find their own answers

2/ The Coach
➟ Spot potential before they do
➟ Push when they hesitate
➟ Invest in their growth

3/ The Defender
➟ Shield them from politics
➟ Fight the battles they shouldn’t have to
➟ Protect without hovering

4/ The Translator
➟ Speak their language, not yours
➟ Bridge gaps between levels
➟ Simplify the complex

5/ The Cheerleader
➟ Spot the effort before the result
➟ Recognize in public, correct in private
➟ Make appreciation your daily habit

6/ The Therapist
➟ Hold space for human moments
➟ Listen before solving
➟ Show it's okay not to be okay

7/ The Janitor
➟ Clean up the mess without blame
➟ Fix first, debrief later
➟ Roll up sleeves when needed

8/ The Student
➟ Learn from everyone
➟ Admit when you don't know
➟ Make curiosity contagious

9/ The Mirror
➟ Reflect their best self back
➟ Show potential, not limits
➟ See who they're becoming

10/ The Compass
➟ Point to true north in chaos
➟ Stay steady when others panic
➟ Remind them of the why

Leadership isn't a rank or role.

It's how you treat people.
Your service. Your support.

You don't need a promotion.
You don't need permission.
You don't even need a title.

Just the courage to step up.
And serve.

Because the best leaders aren't wearing a crown.
They're switching hats.

One at a time.
Exactly when their team needs it most.

P.S. What did I miss? Which hat would you add?

♻️ Repost to help a leader in your network.
🔖 Follow Justin Wright for more on servant leadership.

Want PDFs of my 80 best cheat sheets?
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We obsess over numbers.
Revenue. Margins. Forecasts.
But the truth?

Business is 100% about people.

Yet most leaders still focus on:

KPIs
Metrics
Dashboards
Profit margins
Quarterly results

And they lose sight of the very thing
making those numbers possible:

People.

➟ The ones solving the problems
➟ Delivering those numbers
➟ Building the systems
➟ Closing the deals

Want your business to thrive?
Start with your people.

Show them you care about:

➟ Their growth
➟ Their dreams
➟ Their wellbeing
➟ Their challenges

Because when people feel valued as humans
(not just employees)...

➟ They bring their best work
➟ They go the extra mile
➟ They stay longer
➟ They care more

If you want people to care about your business,
show them first that you care about them as people.

Business is personal.
It always was.
It always will be.
(even with AI)

Lead with heart.
The results will follow.

P.S. Tag a leader who gets this.
♻️ Repost to inspire your network.

Kind leadership isn't soft.

It's the hardest kind there is.

I used to think being a kind boss meant avoiding hard conversations.

Letting things slide.
Keeping the peace.

I was wrong.

That's not kindness.
That's cowardice in disguise.

Real kindness requires courage.

The courage to tell someone the truth they need to hear.

The courage to protect your team's time when everyone wants a piece of it.

The courage to sit with someone in their mess instead of disappearing.

9 Signs of a Kind Leader:

1. They have hard conversations early (before small issues become big problems)

2. They share their own failures (because vulnerability builds trust better than "faking" perfection)

3. They listen to understand, not to respond (put the phone down)

4. They shine the spotlight on others (and stay in the shadows themselves)

5. They cancel the meetings that waste everyone's time (and defend their team's focus)

6. They show up when things fall apart (not just when things go well)

7. They expect excellence AND provide the support to achieve it

8. They know their people as humans first (not just job titles)

9. They grow people who don't need them anymore (that's the goal)

And the hardest part is...

Kind leadership means putting someone else's growth above your own comfort.

Most leaders won't do it.

It's easier to bark orders.
Demand results.
Take credit.

But those "leaders" wonder why their best people leave.

Kind leaders build teams that stay, grow, and thrive.

Choose your legacy wisely.

Because people will forget your title.

They'll never forget how you made them feel.

P.S. Know a kind leader? Tag them in the comments.

♻️ Repost to inspire a leader in your network.

Want a PDF of my Kind Leadership Cheat Sheet?
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Leadership isn't about your title.
It's about how you make people feel.

11 signs you're a leader others (actually) want to follow:

01/ You defend them when they're not in the room.
02/ You give credit in public and coach in private.
03/ You fight battles they don't even know about.
04/ You shut down toxicity before it spreads.
05/ You see their potential before they do.
06/ You make their success your priority.
07/ You stay kind when times get tough.
08/ You apologize when you mess up.
09/ You show up when it matters.
10/ You let them outgrow you.
11/ You keep your promises.

I've known "leaders" with fancy titles
who made me feel invisible.

And others who led by influence 
and changed entire careers.

The difference?

One cared about their position.
The other cared about their people.

Here's what real leaders know:

Your team's success is your success.
Their growth is your legacy.
Their trust is what makes you a leader.

Not your title.

Be the leader who makes people believe
in themselves.

That's the kind of impact that lasts forever.

♻️ Repost to inspire a leader in your network.

Want PDFs of my 99 best cheat sheets?
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The most powerful thing a leader ever said to me
was 5 words.

"I think you'll do great."
That's it.

No long speech. No formal meeting.

Just a quick comment before I walked
into my first big presentation.

I was terrified.
700 pairs of eyes on me.

But my boss saw something different.

He didn't just say "good luck."
He said "I think you'll do great."

And something shifted.

I stood a little taller.
Spoke a little clearer.
Believed a little more.

That presentation changed my career.
Not because I was ready.
Because someone believed I was.

That's the day I learned...

Your belief in someone can unlock
what they can't see in themselves.

You see, belief is contagious.

Behind every confident, successful person
is someone who believed in them first.

When someone believes in you,
you start believing in yourself.

And when you believe in yourself,
you become unstoppable.

Think about who gave you that gift.

A parent. A coach. A boss. A friend.

Someone who saw your potential before you did.

Now think about who needs that from you.

Who's waiting for permission to believe in themselves?

Who needs to hear "I think you'd be great"?

You have that power.
Use it.

Lift someone up today.

Watch what happens when they finally see what you see.

It might just change their life.

Like it changed mine.

P.S. Know a leader like this?
Tag them in the comments.

♻️  Repost to inspire a leader who needs to hear this.
Thank you!

I Build Companies That Sell For Millions And Teach Founders How to Do the Same

Billion Dollar Exits is the first programme designed to help you sell your company for the highest possible price.

You'll be joining a network of founders who've sold over $3.6 billion worth of businesses between them, all of whom are invested in helping you do the same. We work together to figure out what's holding back your growth and then actually fix it.

This could mean building a leadership team, making your sales engine more predictable, or getting your pricing where it should be.

And when you're ready to go to market, we introduce you directly to buyers and help you get the deal done.

Message me to join the waiting list.

Timothy Armoo

When you have a goal say it LOUD!

What’s Stopping You has become an Instant #1 Sunday Times Bestseller!! Thank you…

This one is for us. For everyone on the journey to becoming the best version of themselves and building the life they actually want.

On our live event, I was loud about my ambition for this book to hit the charts. Truthfully I was nervous. 

My team and I had never done it before, and in front of thousands of people there was a real chance it could flop.

But you guys took it to the next level. 

You shared it in group chats, bought copies for church groups, went into your local bookshops and demanded they order it in.

I know it sounds cliché but this is a win for us.

I've been genuinely moved by the stories and breakthroughs people are having reading the book. And by making this book a bestseller we are 10x’ing those stories.

My hope for What's Stopping You is that you read it and by the end think "if this guy can do it, why can't I?"

And my hope is that someone out there sees this number one bestseller achievement and says if a guy who grew up in the ends with a ton of self doubt, fear of failure and spicy brain can do it… then what's stopping you?

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Business Builder | Global Speaker | Number 1 Sunday Times Bestseller

I cried on stage in front of thousands of people...

Last week I hosted a 4-hour live event to launch my book "What's Stopping You."

I set the crazy goal of making the book a Sunday Times Bestseller by the end of the live.

Towards the end of the 4 hour event, my team surprised me and informed me we had blown past that goal!

They gave me a beautiful plaque...and I started crying.

But I didn't cry because of the achievement. Being a bestseller is cool etc but tbh that's not what it's about.

I truly believe in the impact that this book will have on a generation of people.

I think about that kid living in the council estate block who so desperately wanted to make it. That was me. That was a lot of us.

That person who looks online and feels inadequate because they feel like 
they're falling behind. That was me. That was a lot of us.

That aspiring entrepreneur who so desperately wants to retire their parents and is constantly battling with negative self talk. That was me. That was a lot of us.

I wrote this book so that person will have the map to finally get unstuck and FINALLY DO THE THING!

And the fact that thousands of people came together to help do that is magical.

In business, you tend to measure success by the money.

You can see by the tears it meant more than that.

It's about impact.

The impact this book can have on millions of people.

So thank you.

Thank you to the thousands who turned up for the live event.
Thank you to those who bought at least 1 book.
Thank you to those who bought 100s of books.

Thank you to everyone who helped this book reach more people.

If you resonate with the mission, I'd love if you could buy the book from Waterstones. 

Thanks for all the support.

-Timo

Get my Sunday Times BestSeller book “What’s Stopping You” on Amazon.

My book is OFFICIALLY IN BOOKSTORES!!

For the first time in 2 years…. It’s no longer just a draft on my laptop. No longer just a document in the Slack channel so my team could read it and give feedback.

But it can now actually be bought by someone….

Someone who can WIN in 2026 because of it!!

The past two years were full of rewrites, deleted chapters, and long stretches of working in silence.

Days where the words felt right, and others where I questioned whether I was the right person to be writing them at all.

So standing there today felt surreal.

I’m deeply grateful for this journey, and for the people who supported it before there was anything tangible to point to.

The encouragement at the right time, the honest feedback, the belief, especially when my own wavered.

This book exists for the people who start with nothing, to help them believe in themselves, and see what’s possible and follow the same cheatcodes that changed my life.

What this moment represents to me isn’t just a launch. It’s a reminder that showing up consistently, even in uncertainty, eventually turns into something real.

And we’re only getting started.

Once we officially hit the Sunday Times Bestseller list, the book will be available in many more stores across the UK, reaching people I’ll never meet, in moments I’ll never see, but moments that still matter.

If you’re near a bookshop, go and find it. Thank you for all the support you have given me.

I’m so grateful 🧡

Get my Sunday Times Bestseller book “What’s Stopping You” on Amazon.

The next generation of entrepreneurship is built in chicken shops!

Yesterday I went back to visit my council estate and of course it wouldn’t be right if I completed the trip without stopping by The King Rooster 😅

But as I approached the till I heard a young voice call out my name… so I turned around to find 3 youngsters staring at me from City of London Academy - my old secondary school!

They had learned about me from Black History Month and were locked and loaded with countless questions about entrepreneurship.

And I had to laugh out loud as when I was their age, swinging by King Rooster after school, you had a 9/10 chance of witnessing a fight and a 0/10 chance of kids asking how to start a business 😂

Made my day seeing just how far things have changed and that these kids are full with aspiration to unlock the life that they want. Something the news does not show nearly enough of!

Was also a pleasure to hand over a signed copy of my book and buy them all their after school 6 wings and chips. 

I’m sure in 10 years these young entrepreneurs to be will be paying it forward to the next generation of South London 💪🏾

Make it a habit to give people their flowers!

I never told my Mum I was writing a book. I wanted to see her surprised face when I handed it to her for the first time.

So last week I took her for dinner and gently slid my book over with a signed note on the inside.

She didn't say much but the look on her face said everything 😅

I wanted her to know that it was her sacrifices that made me the man I am today and that I am forever grateful for everything she has done for me.

When I was a kid living with my grandma in West Africa, my mum used to go to Heathrow Airport and find literally ANYONE flying to Ghana.

She’d give them some cash and a plastic bag of books.

“Please. Just give these to my son.”

She couldn't be there to help me with my homework, but she always made sure I kept reading.

And even being halfway across the world, she didn’t let that stop her 😂

Every mum makes these invisible sacrifices.

And every achievement you’ve made can be traced back to your mum, your dad, or a guardian.

They set you up to get there!!!

So call your mum. Thank her. Tell her you love her.

I find out this weekend where I will place on the Sunday Times Bestseller chart, but wherever I end up ranking I owe her a massive thank you for all she has done to get me here 🧡

Your business is not your baby!

When building Fanbytes I never lost sight of the planned destination: to have a successful business exit by the time I was 30 years old. 

And after we sold the company, I was often asked, "Did you think this would happen?" - but my response was always the same: "It’s exactly as I designed it."

That's what I want to normalise! Not getting too romantic about your business. Not calling it your "baby." 

As the entire point of building is to one day sell!

Take Kleo, an AI tool that builds your entire content strategy, by my great friend Lara Acosta...

On DAY ONE the entire Kleo team were aligned that they're building this business in order to one day exit. 

That meant that from the very start, the business couldn’t be too dependent on the founder, as it had to be scaled in a sustainable way so that in the future someone would want to buy it.

And the best part is when you build to sell the entire business is forced to be more efficient with stronger fundamentals. 

Kleo is strong proof of that, hitting 120k mrr in just 3 days!!

And that's why I always say your business is not your baby. Because (hopefully) you don't have any plans to sell your baby 😂

If you want to check out Kleo you can do so here: https://kleo.so/

We are the stories we tell ourselves!!

Growing up I lived across the road from the King Rooster Chicken Shop on Old Kent Road - the poorest place on the Monopoly Board.

My council block had no lift so we had to climb the stairs to get to the top floor, which was a bit of a drag. 

At times it felt dangerous, being a young Black boy coming home from school in winter, when it was dark outside and the stairwell was gloomy, and there were often undesirable characters hanging round the estate. Anything could have happened. 

But in retrospect, I’m pleased I was forced to climb those stairs!

As I hurried up that stairwell, trying to avoid trouble, scared and a little bit disappointed by my environment, I repeated a mantra in my head with each step. I don’t belong here. I’m meant for more. I don’t belong here. I’m meant for more...

It became, I think, a mild form of OCD. I couldn’t climb that staircase without repeating the mantra. And the more I repeated it, the more I altered my internal story. By repeatedly stating my mantra, I grew to believe it. The more I believed it, the more I lived it.

And then this led me down a path of building my business and the life I always dreamed of.

And so... I'M BACK!

Starting yesterday and running until Monday, I’m giving away free chicken and chips, plus a free copy of my book, from 3–6pm at King Rooster on Old Kent Road.

It's amazing to see how equally excited the kids are to learn about entrepreneurship as they are for free chicken 😂

I never had someone like me growing up telling me it's possible to create your own story. So I'm making sure I can do that for this next generation! 

The future looks bright 👍🏿

Want to grow your LinkedIn like Lara Acosta?

These are 6 lessons I learnt from her. 👇

Three years ago, Lara was unemployed.
Today, she’s LinkedIn’s #1 female creator with 300,000 followers.

So if you care about building your own personal brand…

Listen to these 6 lessons:

1. 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗖𝗩 

Share your ideas, lessons, and opinions every day so your profile becomes a life portfolio of how you think rather than a static list of roles.

2. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 

Decide who you help and what you help them achieve. Mention this as many times as possible until people repeat it back to you

3. 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 

Commit to a schedule you can keep and treat it as a non-negotiable. Then that the compounding effects builds familiarity, trust, and demand over time.

4. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 

Share stories, frameworks, and mistakes with a clear takeaway from the reader, so every post helps them feel more confident, more informed, or more capable in their own work.

5. 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗠𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗮𝗯 

Use replies, questions, and private messages to understand the problems your audience actually faces. Then turn those patterns into new posts, offers, and products.

6. 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 

Decide exactly what you want people to do once they trust you, and build a straightforward journey from post → profile → offer so you can monetise attention.

If you’re serious about building a personal brand in 2026, Lara will be speaking at my live book launch.

She’ll break down how she stopped guessing what to post, and how she built a high-demand personal brand on LinkedIn.

If you want to learn directly from her, this is your chance.

Come hang out:
https://lnkd.in/eAdyFm2p

Join The UK’s Biggest Live Event On January 10th In My Featured Section ⬇️

The last month has been insane!!

Thank you to everyone who has supported the launch of my new book What's Stopping You? 

And for making me cry on stage 😅

We are only just getting started 🙌

I just walked into Waterstones and saw my book on the shelf 🤯

And then because I couldn't resist, I picked it up, took it to the till, and bought it😂🤣

Which you can judge if you like, but the child like curiosity in me wanted to experience it the same way everyone else will!

Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey. This moment really meant everything to me.

Today is the last chance to buy the book AND have it count towards it becoming a bestseller in opening week! 

If you haven't got your copy yet, it's sold out on Amazon but you can buy yours here: https://lnkd.in/eNDuV8KQ

What's Stopping You?

I gave away £10,000 of my own money to people starting their business at my live book launch.

Because starting is hard.

And I hope this gives momentum to people who’ve already taken the hardest step of all: starting.

Congratulations to the winners 👑

Anthonette Ochieze Adanyin, building a hiring platform that replaces interviews with paid work trials.
Zara Benjamin-Laing, creating a sparkling drinks brand using African superfoods.
Stephen Adeoye, building a talent attraction agency focused on long-term fit.
Callum Matthews, building a grassroots football data platform

One winner used his winnings to buy 100 copies of the book to give away to schools, prisons, or even chicken shops.

(come back next week for a full explanation on the chicken shops 😂)

But the truth is - you don’t need my money to make 2026 your year. You need belief, direction, and the willingness to start where you are.

You’re in change of your destiny!!

If you want to support the mission of helping more unprivileged kids turn ambition into reality, the book is available to pre-order now: https://lnkd.in/egFX6Fp3

Sometimes it's a great idea to skip school!

At 17 I skipped school to interview Richard Branson.

I saw there was this massive conference happening with all the biggest names in business - Richard Branson, Alan Sugar, James Caan etc.

The only problem was I had zero money and zero business being there.

But what I did have is one principle that I still live by today:

"You can get anything you want, if you help other people get what they want."

So I sent a cold email to the organiser.

I told him: “You don’t know me, but I really want a press pass to be able to interview Richard Branson. And in return, I will come down a couple days early before the conference and lay out all the chairs for the entire event.”

He replied in about 20 minutes and said: "This is the most ridiculous email I've ever got... but sure... let's do it."

The next day I skipped school and I was laying out the chairs like the happiest man alive!

And 48 hours later, I was standing there with my tiny microphone squeezed in between the BBC and Forbes, asking Richard Branson rookie questions while the big guys looked on confused 😂

But the important thing is, I got the interview! And in there is a cheatcode: 'Inexperience Is a Superpower'.

I was so naive about how ridiculous the suggestion was, it was the reason it actually worked.

And now 15 years after laying out those chairs, Virgin StartUp have invited me back to Virgin HQ! Not to set up the room this time, but to speak 🤣

I’ll be sharing the lessons from my journey and giving away 100 copies of my new book, "What's Stopping You."

Come through. Will I see you there?

P.s. It's 27th January, you can grab a ticket here: https://lnkd.in/e8qhxKKk

Want to grow a business AND live your dream life like Daniel Priestley?

Before he was 30, Dan built and sold 3 companies to 8-figures.
Today he helps 1000s of entrepreneurs scale their business.

These are 6 lessons I learnt from him. 👇

1. 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘁

Map your ideal week on a calendar, decide what revenue and model would support that week. Say no to anything that doesn’t get you closer.

2. 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲

Choose one problem and one audience to be known for and then publish simple content every week that deepens your authority on that narrow topic.

3. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗱

Turn what you do repeatedly into a named method, checklist or playbook. Then, aim to add at least one new asset each quarter that could still produce value if you disappeared for a month.

4. 𝗥𝘂𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗱, 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀

Create more demand than supply by stopping “always open” selling for your main offer and selling in only launch windows. Make sure you announce limited spots, open for a short period, then close and fully focus on delivery.

5. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹, 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲

Build a small, high quality remote team and default to services that can be sold and delivered digitally.

6. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗱

Aim for a model where a small number of ideal clients cover your lifestyle, and everything else is optional upside.

Very few people understand business the way Dan does. So I asked Dan to join me live to teach you all his business secrets. 

You don’t want to miss this!

Get your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/eAdyFm2p

Pre-order my book on Amazon 📙

Want to learn how to build a business with $0 like Simon Squibb?

At 15, he was homeless.... But by 40, he built 19+ companies and sold one to PwC. He never had to work again!

He's now on a mission to help 10 million people start businesses and change their lives.

These are 6 lessons I learnt from Simon 👇

𝟭. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻

Clarify the life you want, turn it into a single clear dream, and let every business decision move you toward it.

𝟮. 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿

Decide that starting from zero forces you to be creative and focused on real problems, so begin with skills, time, energy, and a clear offer instead of funding.

𝟯. 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆

Make asking a daily habit by telling people what you are building, what you need and who you want to meet, because asking in public opens more doors.

𝟰. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲’𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱

Find people or companies with space, stock, audiences or tools and do win win deals where they bring assets and you bring execution and customers.

𝟱. 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰

Test your idea in very small ways like offering free trials, opening a waitinglist, and only scale what actually gets you sales.

𝟲. 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂

Consistently share everything you know, because being known as someone who helps first builds trust, goodwill and will always bring you back more opportunities for your own dream.


Simon is the expert on how to start a business with no money! That's why I invited him to join my book launch on January 10th to teach his exact playbook.

Come hang out:
https://lnkd.in/eAdyFm2p

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Your most important employee is a "cracked" 23 year old!

When I speak to corporates they are always asking me - "how can we get the most out of Gen Z talent?" 🤔

The secret lies in unleashing their obsessive curiosity:

When I was growing Fanbytes, it was always humbling when a younger staff member came forward with invaluable platform insights I hadn't yet come across and what tweaks the team needed to make in order to take advantage of them.

It showed me that the most valuable employee at your company isn't your CMO or your head of digital...

It's the 23 year old whose first instinct when facing any problem is to build an automation, whose social life happens in Discord servers you've never heard of, and who spends their evenings studying why certain TikToks get 10 million views whilst others die at 200. 

These people are "cracked" in the best possible sense - they have an almost obsessive fluency with the tools and culture that will define the next decade of business. 

Most companies don't even know these people exist inside their organisations, and those that do are keeping them trapped in junior roles where their insights never reach anyone who matters.

In 2026, your unfair advantage is your Gen Z employees! Use them 💪🏿

UK entrepreneurs are underrated!

I spoke to a room full of founders at Virgin StartUp about building a business in 2026. 

Here are the five most important things I told them 👇🏿

1 - No skill is more important than wave picking

At Fanbytes, we didn’t succeed because we outworked everyone. We succeeded because we picked the right wave in influencer marketing and then stayed in the game long enough to ride it.

Entrepreneurs should spend more time thinking about what wave to ride rather than obsessing over productivity hacks. You can work incredibly hard on the wrong thing and end up nowhere. Pick the right wave and then stay competent and consistent.

2 - Detach from your business

Your business is a result of the skills you have, not a reflection of who you are. You’re the orchestrator moving pieces around. 

If something goes wrong, it doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It means you tried something and now you adjust. That separation is what lets you make clear headed decisions rather than emotional ones!

3 - Your first business probably won’t be the one

Early stage founders get worked up about their first company being a hundred million pound success. Statistically, that’s unlikely. 

Think about business like learning to ride a bike. The first time you get on, you’re not expecting to become a Tour de France cyclist.

Your first business is the same. You’re iterating, making mistakes, figuring out what kind of entrepreneur you are. The skills from business one compound into business two and three. Lower your expectations and give yourself some grace.

4 - When you think you’ve already niched, niche again

I use a framework called niche niching. Think of your niche, go deeper, then go deeper again. Only at three layers down do you settle.

For example, if you're starting a supplements brand don’t target everyone:

First niche: women 28 to 35. 
Second: women 28 to 35 who work out. 
Third: women 28 to 35 who do Pilates in London. 

Now you know exactly where to find them and what language to use!

5 - Every opportunity is in someone else’s pocket

The deal you want, the partnership you’re chasing, the customer you need - it's ALL controlled by other people! 

Your job is to build relationships and get in front of the right people with the right message at the right time.

P.s. I always love supporting the next generation of hungry founders (cheers Virgin)! Despite what you hear in the news, it's clear to me that Gen Z are making some serious waves 🌊

Did I miss anything on my list?👇🏿

Never talk yourself down!

As a Black entrepreneur, I’m constantly presented with the received wisdom that entrepreneurship is an order of magnitude harder for Black people than it is for others. 

The statistics, I’m told, reflect this difficulty, because only a tiny percentage of Black entrepreneurs receive funding. 

I’m afraid I don’t have much time for this perspective. 

Now and then, this has landed me in trouble. I’ve been accused of denouncing my Blackness, whatever that means 🙄

But I stick by my opinion.

If I go into the game thinking - "Ah man, it’s so hard to be a Black entreprener" - I’m automatically going to expect it to be very hard to raise money. 

If I tell myself that an investor won’t invest in me because I’m Black, and I believe the story I tell myself that I’m already on the back foot, then guess what: I probably won’t be able to raise that money.

If I expect something to be hard, I’ll treat it as hard. If I allow myself to succumb to a narrative of overwhelming difficulty, I make it harder to win, not easier.

So here’s an alternative perspective: being a Black entrepreneur is a massive competitive advantage. 

I truly believe this. Being in a minority, I stand out. 

There are loads of organisations that provide grants and support programmes for Black entrepreneurs, which means I have access to a set of resources that many other people don’t. 

In certain environments, minorities are easily underestimated, which makes it easier to outperform expectations.

You may not be a Black entrepreneur, but you may believe that there are hurdles unique to your situation or demographic that negatively affect your chances of success. 

And they will, if you let them. 

If, however, you are able to reset your assumptions, you make it vastly easier to win. 

Our expectations matter. It's not too late to change yours 💪🏿

BBC Radio London interviewed me this week about my book 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘠𝘰𝘶?

I wrote the book for my younger self.

The 13-year-old version of me that grew up on Old Kent Road, super close to Peckham.… 

If you’re not familiar with South London, it’s the kind of place you really don’t want to end up at night. 

I remember one day I went to school and a friend of mine was absent. "Haven’t you heard?" one of my schoolmates said. "He was in McDonald’s and someone stabbed him." When he came back he had an ugly scar all the way up his right side from the encounter. 

He was lucky to be alive...

This was the environment in which I found myself.

That's the path I started to walk...

Around me, no one around me was focused on business.

No exits.
No revenue targets.
No landing pages or marketing campaigns.

For most people around me, dreaming was genuinely impossible. 

Everyone was just focused on getting through the week.

It wasn’t wrong.

It just wasn’t the future I saw for myself.

Then the most lifeshattering moment of my life came…. I found my dad in his room right after he had his heart attack. He wasn’t breathing anymore.

After that, I SWORE to myself that I would make it. Make it BIGGGG.

So when I was 16, I started going to this fancy 5-star hotel in central London, Claridge’s, just to sit around people who had more money than I could even imagine.

I needed a new story to tell myself. Bigger. Better.

Maybe, just maybe, I could belong here too….

You don’t control where you are born.

But you are responsible for where you finish.

And if you want help shortening that gap…..

I wrote down the lessons and shortcuts I wish I had back then in my first book, What’s Stopping You?

We’re launching it in less than 48 hours at the UK’s biggest live event.
£10,000 in funding.

And me, breaking down the exact thinking shifts that got me out.

Come hang out:
https://lnkd.in/eAdyFm2p

Order my book “What’s Stopping You?” on Waterstones 📙

Don’t waste another year of your life.

Here’s the secret hack to achieve everything you want.

In my book What’s Stopping You? there are 11 cheatcodes to unlock your dream life.

But there’s actually a 12th cheatcode I revealed live to thousands of people that’s going to help you make progress ten times faster.

This is it 👇



P.S. Pre-order the book to help us spread this message to as many people as possible: https://lnkd.in/eNDuV8KQ

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The Battle

Justin Wright

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Justin Wright's LinkedIn Performance

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