January 17, 2025
Story [#26]

How to scale your business without technical expertise in the digital age.

Or minute of Trust.

Entrepreneurs today face incredible challenges, especially if they’re far removed from the tech world.

The pressure comes from all sides:

  • Bizarre terminology,
  • Fear of being scammed,
  • And frustration with their own lack of understanding.

AI, API, No-code—these terms can sound intimidating because they represent the unknown.

You know these tools can boost your business, but there’s always that fear:

  • Overpaying for unnecessary services,
  • Being charged inflated prices,
  • Or being left to figure things out on your own.

And let’s be real—no one wants to feel stupid.

No one wants to feel like the “village idiot” when dealing with complex technology.

This fear of judgment can sting more than losing money.

You could spend years building a successful business in your niche yet feel completely out of your depth in conversations with specialists.

This often leads to anger—at yourself and at those trying to help.

Fear of the unknown is the real enemy.

Most entrepreneurs have horror stories about working with freelancers or agencies:

  • Missed deadlines,
  • Incomplete projects,
  • Vague or disappointing results.

These experiences make many retreat into a “do-it-yourself” mindset.

But that’s a dead end.

The problem with many entrepreneurs is a fear of trust.

Finding partners who are both competent and willing to explain things is hard.

Yet the truth is, growth is impossible without delegation.

Sooner or later, every entrepreneur must face this challenge.

How to Overcome It?

You don’t need much:

  1. Learn the basics.
    You don’t have to become a programmer, marketer, or designer.
    Just learn the fundamentals to set clear expectations and evaluate results.
  2. Clear task-setting.
    Detail what you want to achieve and what you expect from your partner.
  3. Choose the right people.
    Look for partners who are competent, honest, and willing to explain things.
    Asking questions isn’t foolish—not asking is.

What makes a partnership successful?

Not every tech expert enjoys working with non-tech clients.

Many get frustrated explaining what they consider obvious.

But those who patiently break things down can become your most valuable partners.

Trust is the foundation of a successful partnership.

When evaluating potential partners, findout:

  • Do they have experience working with non-technical clients?
  • Are they willing to explain without upselling unnecessary services?

Why partnership matters more than transactions.

In my experience, I’ve met many entrepreneurs afraid to work with new people.

I’ve learned to value clients who ask lots of questions.

Yes, it takes time, but the results are worth it.

Every time I see a client light up with new understanding and possibilities, I remember why I do this.

We’re not just completing tasks—we’re finding paths to growth together.

That’s why most of my clients stick with me for years.

Real partnerships stand the test of time.

How to Scale?

Learn, delegate, and build partnerships.

  1. Accept that learning is inevitable.Master basic concepts to feel more confident.
  2. Master the art of delegation.Your job is to lead, not micromanage.
  3. Find the right partners.Work with those who value your involvement and want to help.
  4. Leverage technology.AI and automation can simplify routine tasks and cut costs.

Final thoughts.

Fear is normal.

It’s a sign you’re facing a challenge, not a dead end.

Scaling a business requires knowledge, trust, and a willingness to delegate.

The business world is evolving, but the core principles remain the same: trust and genuine relationships.

Build partnerships, embrace challenges, and don’t be afraid to be yourself.

That’s how you succeed.

Disclaimer.

Every business has its nuances, and every founder has their unique context and resources. Whether or not my advice applies depends on your situation, experience, and needs. But one thing is universal—use your brain.

Think about how to apply the advice in your context before acting.

Your way.

How to Learn New Skills Effectively

There are plenty of methods for mastering new skills.

For example, Coursera offers an excellent course: Learning How to Learn.

But let’s be real—entrepreneurs rarely have the time to take a course just to learn how to learn.

For knowledge to not only stick but also become actionable, practice is key.

Simply studying, reading, or watching courses isn’t enough if you’re not applying what you’ve learned.

Here’s the method I use. It’s simple, practical, and has proven effective in my work.

My Five-Step Approach

  1. Create a Notion Project
    Start by creating a new project in Notion with a title that reflects the topic I’m diving into.
  2. Gather Information
    Collect data from Google, YouTube, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other sources.
  3. Capture Key Points
    As I go through the material, add important insights to the project:
    • Include links to sources.
    • Add screenshots of key points.
    • Write down my thoughts or comments.
  4. Apply It in Practice
    Once I have a basic understanding, start putting the knowledge into action.
    Practice provides instant feedback:
    • What didn’t work?
    • What information is missing?
    • What didn’t go as expected?
  5. Analyze and Deepen
    Log the results of my practice in the same Notion project—using subsections, databases, or notes—and continue researching to fill any gaps.

This approach lets you:

  • Go beyond theoretical learning and practice it.
  • Achieve results you can directly apply to your business.
  • Build a living knowledge base that includes:
    • Key questions you’ve encountered.
    • Challenges you’ve faced.
    • Solutions you’ve discovered.

Additional benefits:

  1. A Knowledge Base for Your Team
    You can share the project with your team to help delegate tasks effectively.
  2. Improved Client Collaboration
    If you work as a consultant or contractor, you can enrich the database with insights from real projects, making it even more valuable.

This method combines learning, applying, and accumulating experience.

It transforms the learning process into something immediately useful and highly effective.

Every founder has their own way of getting through hard days.

Mine is Nyx Thorne — a fictional hero I created to remind myself that clarity, courage, and rebellion are always possible.

Her journal reminds me (and maybe you) that it’s okay to struggle — and still move forward.
You think you’ve met a soulmate.
Someone to share the struggles with.
You’re happy.
You start making plans.
How to take over the world.

And then?
You realize you were just being used.

Big oof.
Basically, trust no one.
And always keep a round in the chamber.

From the journal of Nyx Thorne.
That’s all for today. See you next week.
- Eugene

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Autjor avatar

Hi, I’m Eugene.

Strategist, operator, and product builder helping founders escape operational chaos and build businesses that work without them.

Over the past 20+ years, I’ve grown an international agency from one-person freelance to a multimillion-dollar business. I’ve led teams, scaled systems, burned out, rebuilt, and learned (the hard way) what it really takes to run a business that doesn’t consume your life.
Today, I work with small business owners and independent founders who’ve outgrown hustle advice and need practical structure.

I help them make sense of complexity, design simple systems, and create the kind of business they actually want to run.
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