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.

Project Management Tools Comparison

Project Management Tools Comparison - Dapo Abiola

Not sure which project management tool is right for your startup? Compare the best options — ClickUp, Asana, Trello, and more — based on features, pricing, and team fit.

Free Business Templates

Free Business Templates

Free Business Templates Every Startup Needs (and Where to Get Them) Time is your scarcest resource as a founder — and building everything from scratch is the fast lane to burnout. Enter business templates. Whether you’re validating an idea, building your first financial model, or onboarding new hires, templates give you a repeatable foundation without […]

Best Productivity Tools for Startups

Best Productivity Tools for Startups - Dapo Abiola

The Best Productivity Tools for Startups in 2025 Startups don’t fail for lack of ambition — they fail from poor execution. And often, execution fails because of inefficiency: scattered workflows, unclear priorities, duplicated work, or missing follow-ups. You don’t need more hours — you need better tools. But with thousands of apps out there (many […]

Accounting Software for Startups

Accounting Software for Startups - Dapo Abiola

Best Accounting Software for Startups in 2025 Accounting might not be glamorous — but it’s mission-critical. Messy books lead to poor decisions, missed deductions, and terrifying tax seasons. Whether you’re bootstrapping or backed, solid accounting software gives your startup a financial foundation. But with so many tools out there — how do you choose one […]

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 […]

Email Marketing Campaigns

Email Marketing Campaigns That Work: Strategies for 2025 - Dapo Abiola

Email still delivers. Learn how to build campaigns that convert, from welcome sequences to re-engagement strategies.