Everywhere you turn, someone has advice for how to grow your business. Books, seminars, influencers, podcasts — all claiming to hold the secret sauce to success.
But as entrepreneurs, we have to ask: who are these people, really? And why should we trust them?
Everyone’s a Guru — Until You Check Their Resume
Today, anyone with a ring light and a social media account can call themselves an expert. Some sell “success” without ever building a business of their own. Others recycle talking points from books they barely read, monetizing buzzwords instead of experience or resell you recycled advice over and over again.
Before you let someone shape your mindset, strategy, or brand — do your homework:
- What have they actually built?
- What results have they produced (for themselves and others)?
- Are they thriving in an environment similar to yours, or one you’d like to enter?
You wouldn’t take fitness advice from someone who’s never stepped into a gym. The same should apply in business.
Guidelines, Not Gospel
Even if someone is successful, that doesn’t mean their advice is right for you.
Business isn’t one-size-fits-all. What worked for them might not fit your industry, team, personality, or vision. That’s why it’s okay — even wise — to challenge what you’re told.
Use expert insights as guidelines, not gospel. Extract the value, leave the rest, and always filter through your own intuition and experience.
Your Business, Your Rules
You started your business because you had a vision. Don’t lose it by blindly following someone else’s.
Your power lies in your ability to question, adapt, and think critically. Success often comes from doing things differently — not just doing what everyone else is doing.
Remember, the best entrepreneurs don’t follow blindly. They observe, question, and take action based on informed independence.
Create Your Own Scorecard
Here’s a simple framework to evaluate whether an expert deserves your time:
- ✅ Have they done what I want to do?
- ✅ Do they show receipts — actual results, not just opinions?
- ✅ Are they aligned with my values and goals?
- ✅ Are they transparent, honest, and clear about what they’re selling?
If they don’t pass the test, move on. There are too many people pretending to have answers for you to waste time chasing empty advice.
Build a Circle, Not a Pedestal
The best growth doesn’t happen by putting others on a pedestal. It comes from building a circle — trusted peers, mentors, and collaborators who challenge you, support you, and grow with you.
At Upsociate, we believe in building a community of real entrepreneurs, sharing real lessons from the trenches — not recycled fluff from the highlight reel.
Whether you’re scaling your first startup or refining your tenth offer, make sure the people influencing you have earned the right to speak into your journey.
Your dreams are too important to outsource to unproven strangers. Think for yourself. Test boldly. Learn from results.
