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My biggest lesson in business so far...Watch out who you associate with!

by Artkantos
25 replies
When I started my online journey with 20 years old and nothing to back me up I was naive and I thought that everybody had good values and business standards...Boy, I was wrong!

After a good start with my online membership I managed to get to +$15k a month and a healthy community of 16k subscribers...A crypto massacre came and the business went almost to the point of losing money, so in 2018 I partnered up with what it looked to be the ultimate marketing master! I delegate all the sales and marketing to him and I took care of everything else. One year later somehow I was a millionaire (on paper obviously, we were "re-investing everything")...And another year later I was back to square one or even worse with a lot of problems having to clean all the mess this guy had made...

I won't go into details because is not the place but it took me 2 years through hell and massive sacrifices and efforts to be back to where I was in 2017!!

Moral of the story...Watch out who you associate with! Take it as seriously as if it were a marriage, specially if you're going 50/50 or similar
#associate #biggest #business #farwatch #lesson
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
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    Thanks for the Post/Advice Artkantos. : )

    I can see already that you're going to be a great Contributor/Asset to The Forum.

    [Edit=]
    Sorry ― I just noticed your Post Count, and it seem like you've been here for a while. (Lol)
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    "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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    • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
      Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

      Sorry ― I just noticed your Post Count, and it seem like you've been here for a while. (Lol)
      She joined on July 26, 2022, so less than a month. You were right originally ;>)

      All you have to do Jonathan is check the user profile.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
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        Originally Posted by DWolfe View Post

        She joined on July 26, 2022, so less than a month. You were right originally ;>)

        All you have to do Jonathan is check the user profile.
        Oh OK: Thanks DWolfe. : ) My mistake.
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        "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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  • Profile picture of the author Artkantos
    Thank you guys, I really like it in here, always cool and diverse topics and big brains around haha regarding the partnering thing, wow, it can make you or break you in business and in life...

    In my short life, what an awful experience, I imagine most people here can tell some stories regarding this topic
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Where i was raised 'be careful who you associate with' was a life lesson!
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    • Profile picture of the author Artkantos
      As it should! But it looks like some lessons you must experience it in your own flesh to learn them well, specially if you are not in the best emotional place...This was my case at least
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  • Profile picture of the author Mondiad
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    Trial and error is the best teacher. Congrats on always moving forward!
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    • Profile picture of the author Artkantos
      Yeah, I mean, what else can you do in a situation like that? Some people try, encounter a tough situation and they got back to their comfort zone...FOREVER! Why are we here if not for learning, trying, growing and doing cool stuff?
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    what else can you do in a situation like that

    Come to terms with the mistakes you've made - promise yourself you will not make those mistakes again....


    Then move on with your life and find new mistakes to make. That's how real life goes.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
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      Originally Posted by Artkantos View Post

      Why are we here if not for learning, trying, growing and doing cool stuff?
      Exactly Artkantos. Life (IMO) is all about "Experiences." Essentially learning something from both the "good" and the "bad." And to keep growing, evolving, and succeeding.

      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      Then move on with your life and find new mistakes to make. That's how real life goes.
      Yup. Well said Kay. : ) Many People are somewhat "afraid" of making "mistakes" ... However like you said, that's how we learn

      [Added=]
      My apologies for getting "off topic" ... I just think it's important for People to have a good "Mindset" (etc.)
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      "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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      • Profile picture of the author Artkantos
        Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

        Exactly Artkantos. Life (IMO) is all about "Experiences." Essentially learning something from both the "good" and the "bad." And to keep growing, evolving, and succeeding.



        Yup. Well said Kay. : ) Many People are somewhat "afraid" of making "mistakes" ... However like you said, that's how we learn

        [Added=]
        My apologies for getting "off topic" ... I just think it's important for People to have a good "Mindset" (etc.)
        At the contrary, it's totally "ontopic" because you can't really separate these topics, a wise man said that business success is 20% strategy, tactics and 80% mindset
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        • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
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          Originally Posted by Artkantos View Post

          At the contrary, it's totally "ontopic" because you can't really separate these topics, a wise man said that business success is 20% strategy, tactics and 80% mindset
          Sure, Many People don't realize/understand the importance of The Inner Game of "Success/Entrepreneurship" They think it's all about taking Action ― and while that's definitely important ― there's more to it than that (IMO) Many People have several "limiting beliefs" about "Success and Money" and that has an influence on their progress.
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          "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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          • Profile picture of the author Artkantos
            100%
            I will add to the mindset also the good values.... Shady and tempting shortcuts that go against your values and good ethics, may come your way and may seem to save you time, money or struggle... but at the end of the road, life will bill you with interest
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            • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
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              Originally Posted by Artkantos View Post

              100%
              I will add to the mindset also the good values.... Shady and tempting shortcuts that go against your values and good ethics, may come your way and may seem to save you time, money or struggle... but at the end of the road, life will bill you with interest
              Yup. Great point Artkantos. A Person staying true to their "values" is super-important.
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  • Profile picture of the author spartan14
    Yea in business you need to choose your partners very carefuly ,
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  • Profile picture of the author max5ty
    I've always told myself I was going to read about cryptocurrency and figure out what it was all about.

    Hasn't happened yet. The closest I get to it is when Elon Musk tweets something about it.

    I don't have anything against it...

    and it sounds like you've got a firm grasp on it and know what you're doing.

    You were successful, so I have no doubt you'll bounce back...or have already.

    Although it sounds like you had a contractor issue, it reminds me of another statistic...

    the single thing that has closed more start-ups is an issue with cofounders.

    65% (Harvard Business Review April 2022) of startups fail because of cofounder disagreements.

    A new business starts with a couple of partners. Everyone is eager to make money. Money starts coming in. The cofounders each decide they want to take the business in another direction...

    tempers flare. The business suffers.

    There was a business I had talked about on here a couple of years ago. The business was doing great, the founders had been interviewed on just about every financial site there was. They were selling franchises like crazy.

    One day I went to check out their site to see how they were doing, and the site was boarded up. The URL redirected to some nonsense site. I had talked to one of the founders before, so I sent him an email asking what was happening...

    long story short, he said he and the cofounder had a difference of opinion on how the money was being spent. They were filing for bankruptcy. The business was closed.

    Sadly, this story is very common in the business world.

    It's always important to have agreements in place to protect a business.

    Thanks for your post, it is an interesting topic.

    For anyone interested, the article in Harvard business review on April 11, 2022 "How Cofounders Can Prevent Their Relationship from Derailing" is an interesting read.
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    • Profile picture of the author Artkantos
      Originally Posted by max5ty View Post

      I've always told myself I was going to read about cryptocurrency and figure out what it was all about.

      Hasn't happened yet. The closest I get to it is when Elon Musk tweets something about it.
      Not too late yet for learning haha


      Originally Posted by max5ty View Post

      65% (Harvard Business Review April 2022) of startups fail because of cofounder disagreements.

      Thanks for your insights and that data, it's impressive but not surprising...It always remind me to this:



      ...For some reason I can't upload the image, it was about a couple of donkeys who have the same flange and they are trying to go to two different piles of food and therefore they starve
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  • Profile picture of the author Princess Balestra
    The easiest seemin' people can turn out difficultest in the long haul.

    An' the difficultest people are prolly stickers if'n you diligent 'nuff to seek 'em out.

    Gotta always *shazam* into bein' sum kinda SMOOCHIE AREAH.

    Terrain of heart & trooth beyond which you confront/invite all comers.

    It cannot be accidental.

    See bcs how many pop culchah stories fulla talented souls swingin' freely on abundant ascent're only to be riven by disagreements latah?

    Am I bein' leeched for my evident gifts?

    Is a needy latchin' onto Moi bcs I gaht communion with Nirvana?

    Is the drection I travlin' mine? Why is this person in muh orbit?

    I believe trooly you gotta feel sure ground beneathya 'fore'n' you examine alla the conflux optschwaahns gowin'.

    Best advice I evah been offahed as a Princess?

    It is OK to turn your nose up.
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    Lightin' fuses is for blowin' stuff togethah.

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  • Profile picture of the author Michael J Anthony
    This is very good advice and, unfortunately, this is a lesson most of us must experience ourselves first. Its not really the kind of thing you can just tell somebody. We all think we are being careful at first, until you find out you weren't, or were just straight-up hoodwinked by such people.
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    • Profile picture of the author Artkantos
      Sad but true...It doesn't hurt to know this and be cautious, but at the end of the day, there's no substitute for your own experience!

      However, you can develop some rule of thumbs learning from others that can save (partially at least) your ass; the key is not to be paranoid or reckless but sensible and try to be as connected as possible with your intuition!
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by Michael J Anthony View Post

      This is very good advice but, unfortunately, this is a lesson most of us most experience ourselves first. Its not really the kind of thing you can just tell somebody. We all think we are being careful at first, until you find out you weren't, or were just straight-up hoodwinked by such people.
      Long time no see, Mike Anthony. Good to see you back
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael J Anthony
        Ha, yes, I am still alive and kicking. And to this topic, I had some success and then great failure, atleast in my eyes. Spent way more than I ever made with this online marketing stuff and decided to quit and pay down some large bills. Now I am back and rebuilding. As many of us know, or will soon find out, failure is the greatest teacher, though it sure hurts like hell when you're going through it.

        As I just came back from Green Bay and went to Lambeau Field, they had large pictures all over the walls of Vince Lombardi quotes. Two of them really caught my attention as it is relates to my experience: "It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up." -AND- "There's only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything." ~Vince Lombardi

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        • Profile picture of the author Artkantos
          Welcome back then! Success may take more time than expected, but giving up guarantees failure...Keep us updated on your new endeavors
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  • Profile picture of the author Devilfish168
    The best is Work Alone.
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    Find The Job That Fits Your Life
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    • Profile picture of the author Artkantos
      Haha you won the thread amigo!

      That's the ideal, but depends on your goals and circumstances can be difficult or even impossible to be completely independent! However, 50/50 partners or similar...Uff I would avoid it
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