G’day to all you hardworking entrepreneurs and small business battlers out there. We have all had those days where the standard business playbook feels like it is letting us down. You are pouring your heart and soul and every last cent into your gig but it feels like you are stuck running on a treadmill. There is plenty of sweat and hard yakka but no real distance gained. I have been right there myself. My name is Nathan Baws and my entrepreneurial ride has been a wild mix of highs and flops and hard earned lessons.
From bootstrapping rickety health shops to staring down the dragons on Shark Tank I have learned that conventional wisdom is often a bit of a dud. It can be too rigid and too pricey and frankly too safe. That is why I carved out my own path by leaning on unorthodox strategies. This journey led me to develop a unique approach where you can Get Explosive Growth With 10 Nathan Baws Mentoring Programs designed to help you break free from the mould. This yarn is going to dive deep into ten unconventional strategies that form my personal playbook. It is forged in the fire of real world scrapping. It is not about textbook fluff but rather about what has actually worked for me. We are talking zero cost marketing stunts to scaling on a shoestring. Let us rip in and get your business firing.
The Early Hustle and The Shark Tank Reality
I certainly did not start with a silver spoon or a fat bank account. I started with a spark and a rickety health shop that was more shed than store. Back then marketing was a scramble because traditional ads were way out of my reach financially. I had to get crafty. One day I chucked on a giant green smoothie costume which sounds daft I know and paraded through town. I landed on the local news grinning like a fool. The next day the shop was heaving with punters curious to see what the fuss was about. That is when I twigged it. Unconventional moves could turn absolutely nothing into something big.
Fast forward a bit and I am stepping onto the Shark Tank set with a pitch built on cheek and zero cost buzz. I wrapped my health bars in Shark Bait labels which cost me a printer and a laugh. I spun a yarn about that smoothie stunt that had the Sharks chuckling. But beneath the jokes I knew my numbers cold. I knew every sale and every flop and every cent. They bit and the deal was done. The press went wild and sales soared. It was not just about the cash though. It was about grabbing a wild chance and riding it hard.
Strategy 1 Guerrilla Marketing Tactics
Guerrilla marketing is all about making a splash and creating memorable moments that stick in people’s minds. Forget pricey billboards or expensive radio slots. I have always leaned on creative stunts to spark buzz. Early on my health shop was flatlining and I needed a jolt. So I rallied some mates for a flash mob yoga session right in the city square. We were stretching with tunes pumping and passersby were gobsmacked. It cost me nothing but time. Social media lit up and the pics flew around town. The shop hummed for weeks after. It is about being unexpected and fun.
Strategy 2 Leveraging Social Media Connections
Social media is more than just posting pretty pics of your breakfast. It is about real connections. I have learned to engage by answering punters and sparking chats and dishing out stuff they actually care about. Short videos are dynamite. My Smoothie Spill clip where I was fumbling green muck went nuts online. You have to experiment to see what clicks. Know your crowd and give them what they want. I ran a live Q and A once where punters piled in asking about my flops and wins. It built trust and grew the mob.
Strategy 3 Building a Tribe
A tight community is your secret weapon because loyal punters turn into your cheer squad. I have hosted online forums and little shindigs to make them feel part of the journey. My shop ran health hack nights where folks swapped tips and munched bars and bonded. I valued them and listened to them. When I ran a bring a mate day the chatter went wild. Community drives growth better than any ad spend ever could.
Strategy 4 Viral Content Creation
Viral content is the dream for every modern business. It is stuff that spreads like a bushfire in summer. There is no magic trick but humour and heart and realness spark it. My Bar Fail video where I burned a batch and laughed it off hit a nerve. It flew online because people relate to mistakes. Tap into what your crowd feels and make them laugh or nod along. If they feel it they will share it.
Strategy 5 Embracing Failure
Failure is just part of the game so do not dodge it. Learn from it. My first health drink was a swampy disaster that made punters gag and made me wince. I tore it apart and fixed it and eventually launched bars that sold out. Every flop is a lesson. I lost a supplier once and thought I was sunk but I scrambled and found a better one. I am tougher now for it. Failure is a teacher and you need to be ready to ace the class.
Strategy 6 Cultivating Resilience
Resilience keeps you swinging and staying steady when it is rough. Business is a rollercoaster with ups and downs and gut punches. During lean months I just kept going. I tweaked and hustled and won. Post Shark Tank sales dipped eventually and I did not crack. I pushed more stunts. Resilience is gold in this game.
Strategy 7 Mental Toughness
Mental toughness is your backbone for performing under pressure. You have to stay cool and sharp and disciplined. Mindfulness or a quiet walk kept me sane when the pressure mounted. When the shop was quiet I planned the next move rather than panicking. Before Shark Tank there were long nights but I stayed calm and nailed it. Toughness carries you through the valleys.
Strategy 8 Bootstrapping Growth
Bootstrapping is about stretching every dollar to the max. You cut the fat where you can. I negotiated cheap leases and bartered with suppliers so my shop ran lean. I once swapped bars for promo which meant zero cash outlay but big buzz. Bootstrapping is a craft that allows for growth without the financial sting.
Strategy 9 Strategic Partnerships
Partnerships can change the game entirely. Team up with outfits that fit your vibe. A local gym got my bars and I got access to their punters. It doubled my reach for no cost. We threw a brewery bash once that split the buzz and cracked new turf for both of us. I have learned plenty from listening to great keynote speakers at industry events but nothing beats the hands on guidance of a dedicated mentor or partner. A yoga tie up where I provided snacks post class and we swapped flyers meant both of us scored new business.
Strategy 10 Optimising Operations
Growth is messy so you have to tidy it up. Streamline everything you can. Use apps for orders to cut the slog. This freed me to plot stunts rather than drowning in paperwork. I nabbed a cheap tool once and orders flew out the door while stress dropped. Efficiency boosts are vital because they let you focus on the big picture.
The Role of Mentoring in This Mix
Finding the right mentor is a game changer. You need someone who has been there and gets you. I have leaned on mentors who have shaped my path significantly. It took me ages to find one but then a retail veteran clicked with me and saved my skin. The right fit matters. You have to be open and honest and ready to learn. Bring questions and take feedback and act on it. My early mentor pushed me hard and I stepped up and grew fast. It is a two way street.
Building a strong relationship requires trust and respect and straight talk. Schedule regular yarns and spill your guts about what is really happening. My best mentors knew my mess and helped me clean it up. Weekly catch ups kept me sharp and honest. The long term benefits are huge. You get insights and networks and confidence. It shaped my vision and linked me to legends. Years on I still tap those mates on the shoulder because mentorship is forever.
Conclusion
The business game is a wild ride full of highs and lows and plenty of curveballs. I am Nathan Baws and I have scrapped through it all from health shop hustles to the bright lights of Shark Tank. I have done it by leaning on unorthodox moves and seeking guidance to crack explosive growth. These ten strategies are my playbook. They are raw and real and ready for you to twist and run with.
Business mentoring has been my edge. It guides and pushes and connects. If you want that for your gig I am here. Whether it is consulting or talks or whatever lights your fire we can make it happen. Let us harness these strategies and unorthodox grit to build your empire. Do not just scrape by in the background. Thrive and make some noise.
FAQs
1. Do I really need a business mentor to succeed?
If you are feeling stuck or swamped or unsure then a mentor is your lifeline who offers fresh eyes and tough love to get you moving again.
2. What qualities should I look for in a good mentor?
Look for experience and wins and good ears but most importantly find someone who gets you and genuinely cares about your success.
3. Is business mentoring expensive for a small startup?
Costs vary from free to fancy but I have done both and you can find programs that fit your wallet and your specific needs.
4. Is it worth the time investment to have a mentor?
It is a future bet that is absolutely worth the hustle so schedule it like gold because good guidance makes every minute count.
5. How do I scale my business with limited funds?
You need to bootstrap and team up with partners and streamline your operations which is exactly what good mentoring shows you how to do.
