The Journal

Thinking on Business,
Finance & Growth

Frameworks, insights, and hard-won lessons from a decade of building, breaking, and rebuilding businesses across 4 industries and 3 continents.

Startup Success Stories: Real Lessons from Founders Who Made It

Startup Success Stories: Real Lessons from Founders Who Made It - Dapo Abiola

Success in the startup world often comes from a blend of insight, adaptability, and relentless execution. Let’s explore a few standout stories and the lessons they offer to aspiring entrepreneurs. 1. Squire: Pivoting from B2C to B2B Founders: Songe LaRon & Dave SalvantIndustry: Barbershop Management SaaSLesson: Deep industry insight and willingness to pivot can unlock […]

Lessons from Failed Startups: What Every Founder Should Know

Lessons from Failed Startups: What Every Founder Should Know - Dapo Abiola

Startup success stories often dominate headlines, but there’s immense value in understanding why ventures fail. Analyzing these failures can offer invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. Let’s delve into some critical lessons drawn from notable startup failures. 1. Validate Before You Build Lesson: Ensure there’s a genuine market need for your product or service before scaling. […]

How to Pivot a Startup (Without Starting Over)

How to Pivot a Startup (Without Starting Over) - Dapo Abiola

How to Pivot a Startup (Without Starting Over) Most successful startups didn’t follow a straight path. They pivoted — sometimes slightly, sometimes dramatically — to find traction. But a pivot isn’t panic. It’s a strategy. If your current approach isn’t working, but you still believe in the problem you’re solving, a smart pivot could save […]