Introduction

Entrepreneurship isn’t a walk in the park—it’s a ride full of twists, sharp turns, and the occasional crash before you find your stride. I’m Nathan Baws, and I’ve lived every bit of it. From launching health shops on nothing but grit, to standing in front of investors on Shark Tank with my heart hammering, I know what it’s like to feel both the thrill of possibility and the weight of risk.

These strategies aren’t pulled from textbooks or recycled motivational quotes. They’re lessons from the trenches—wins, losses, and experiments that shaped how I approach growth. Some I learned the hard way, others through bold bets that paid off. My goal here is simple: to hand you the tools and mindset to fuel your own journey.

Guerrilla Marketing: Loud Results Without Loud Budgets

My first shop had no money for big ads. What I did have was creativity. I set up a small booth at a local market, gave away samples, and started conversations. That low-cost experiment created weeks of buzz. Guerrilla marketing is about shaking things up—flashy stunts, unusual placements, or quirky campaigns that make people talk.

If you’re strapped for cash, think bold. Maybe it’s a mural that tells your story, or a clever giveaway that gets people sharing online. The point isn’t perfection—it’s to spark attention that travels further than your budget should allow.

Social Media as a Tribe Builder

Social platforms aren’t just about pretty photos; they’re about connection. The posts that resonated most with my audience weren’t polished ads—they were the raw ones. Nights where I admitted I was exhausted, or days I shared a small victory. That honesty built trust.

Your followers want more than your product. They want your story, your grit, and the behind-the-scenes chaos. Run polls, ask for feedback, and reply with real interest. The goal is to turn strangers into loyal supporters who cheer for you long after the novelty fades.

Partnerships That Double Your Reach

One of the smartest moves I ever made was teaming up with a local gym. They recommended my health products, and in return, I promoted their services. It was simple, cost nothing, and multiplied our exposure.

Look around—who serves the same customers you do, but in a different way? Pair up, swap value, and watch your audience grow without the hefty price tag of traditional ads. Partnerships are leverage, and they’re often closer than you think.

PR Without a Price Tag

You don’t need an expensive agency to get noticed. I’ve cold-called journalists, emailed bloggers, and pitched radio hosts with nothing more than my story. When one local paper ran a feature, the next morning people lined up at my store.

Craft your pitch around your “why”—what makes you unique, why you started, or the problem you’re solving. Authentic stories are magnetic. When you share them boldly, people listen, and opportunities open up.

Failure as a Building Block

One of my early shop launches was a disaster—empty shelves, no customers, and plenty of self-doubt. But instead of quitting, I dissected the mess, fixed what I could, and tried again. Every failure was a lesson.

Don’t let setbacks convince you you’re finished. Let them sharpen you. Even my Shark Tank journey included plenty of failed practice pitches before I nailed the real thing. The key is to treat failure as feedback, not a full stop.

Grit: The Unsung Hero

There were times when cash was low, sleep was scarce, and walking away seemed tempting. But grit kept me in the game. It’s the stubbornness to get up one more time, to knock on one more door, to try one more idea.

Success doesn’t always come from being the smartest—it often comes from refusing to stop. Grit is what bridges the gap between effort and achievement.

Rest Is a Strategy, Not a Weakness

I used to wear exhaustion like a badge of honour until I realised burnout was killing my progress. These days, I prioritise time for a run, a quiet coffee, or a laugh with my family. The best ideas often arrive when your mind is rested, not when it’s running on fumes.

Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. If you burn out, you don’t just stall your growth—you risk losing everything you’ve worked for.

Focus Over Friction

Distractions are productivity’s biggest enemy. During my Shark Tank prep, I learned to block out noise by setting just three top tasks each day. Everything else could wait. That discipline helped me sharpen my pitch and land opportunities I might’ve blown otherwise.

Choose clarity over chaos. Focus is how you move mountains.

Scaling Smart with What You Have

Bootstrapping was my reality in the beginning. Every dollar mattered. I bartered services, reinvested profits, and found creative ways to stretch resources. Growth doesn’t always need huge funding—it needs ingenuity.

Technology helped me scale without stress. From scheduling tools to automated invoices, every system I added freed me up for the bigger moves. And when I did build a team, I chose people who believed in the vision as much as I did, rewarding them with equity and trust rather than just paychecks.

When funding was necessary, I faced investors head-on. Preparation was everything—tight numbers, a strong pitch, and a clear vision. Those moments of risk created the leaps that transformed my businesses.

Creativity: The Edge That Lasts

Innovation doesn’t come from copying others. It comes from questioning what’s possible. Some of my best breakthroughs happened during wild brainstorming sessions where no idea was off-limits.

When you put your customer first—listening to their frustrations and solving for them—you uncover opportunities others miss. Creativity isn’t about gimmicks; it’s about finding fresh ways to serve real needs.

Building a Brand That Breathes

Your brand isn’t just a logo—it’s your heartbeat. It’s the story you tell, the promise you keep, and the consistency you show. My shops always carried the same vibe—raw, real, and health-focused. That consistency built trust.

Happy customers are your best marketers. Encourage them to share their experiences, display testimonials proudly, and let their voices amplify your story. Word-of-mouth remains one of the strongest growth tools, especially when trust in ads is fading.

Playing It Smart with the Serious Stuff

The less glamorous side of business—compliance, finances, and protecting intellectual property—can’t be ignored. I’ve leaned on experts when needed, tracked every dollar like it was life or death, and secured trademarks to protect my ideas.

Entrepreneurship isn’t just passion—it’s discipline. Neglecting the serious stuff can undo all your hard work.

Inspiration from the Stage

At different points in my journey, I’ve found myself in rooms where speakers shared insights that shifted my thinking. Whether it was a story of resilience, a strategy for growth, or a perspective on leadership, those moments lit a fire in me. That’s the power of hearing from keynote speakers perth and beyond—they bring fresh energy and clarity that can ignite your own path. While coaching and self-reflection are vital, external voices remind you that you’re part of something bigger, and they often spark the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.

Conclusion

Entrepreneurship is a test of creativity, resilience, and vision. The strategies I’ve shared—from guerrilla marketing to mindset mastery—are tools I’ve lived, not just studied. They helped me survive the rough patches, scale smartly, and build a brand that connects.

The truth is, you’ll face setbacks, doubts, and risks. But with grit, focus, and the willingness to try what others won’t, you’ll uncover opportunities that set you apart. This isn’t about playing it safe—it’s about building something meaningful and lasting.

Your journey won’t look exactly like mine, and it shouldn’t. Take these strategies, make them your own, and keep moving forward. The only wrong step is stopping.

FAQs

1. What’s the most important entrepreneurial skill to develop?
Resilience. Without it, you’ll quit before you see results. With it, you’ll turn setbacks into stepping stones.

2. How can I market my business with little money?
Guerrilla tactics, social media storytelling, and smart partnerships can give you exposure without draining your budget.

3. What’s the biggest mistake new entrepreneurs make?
Ignoring finances. Track every cent and protect your ideas legally from the start.

4. How do I stay creative under pressure?
Schedule brainstorming, stay close to your customers, and never dismiss wild ideas—you’ll be surprised what sticks.

5. Why should I consider listening to keynote speakers?
They offer fresh insights, motivation, and strategies that can spark breakthroughs you might miss on your own.