I had a call with a founder recently. Smart, talented, ambitious. Drowning. She manages projects, leads designers, runs delivery, all herself. From the outside, it looks like she’s crushing it. But inside it’s a different story.

I used to think growth came from planning. From the right strategy. The right product. The right offer. But when I look back at every leap in my business — none of them started from a spreadsheet. They all started from a collapse. Not the kind that looks poetic in hindsight. The kind where your gut sinks. You can’t sleep. You think it’s over.

About ten years ago, I made a mistake I’ve seen many founders still repeat. I tried to implement a system in my business the way you implement a new app: Install it. Plug it in. Expect results. The system looked perfect on paper. The logic made sense. It even borrowed ideas from companies like Toyota and McDonald’s — “the greats,” right? But it didn’t work.

When I opened my first office, I thought I made it. I had a team. I had a business address. I had a car — okay, it was on credit, but still. And for the first time in my life, I flew abroad. It felt like success. It looked like success. And I believed it was success. But it wasn’t.

I’m a visual thinker. Maybe it comes from starting out as a designer, but visual and spatial thinking is second nature to me. I process diagrams, charts, and maps way faster than text. Even when my wife asks how a dress looks on her, I tell her honestly: *“I’ll let you know when I see it.”* (Of course, she looks great in everything.) But the point is — visuals work faster. That’s not an opinion. It’s science.

If you’re a painter, sculptor, or writer — maybe that’s true. Talent is personal. Though let’s be honest, even writers have ghostwriters. But if you’re a business owner, that mantra is lethal.

When I started my business, I didn’t even think I was starting a business. I just didn’t want to work for morons — and I needed to support my family. All I really wanted was a comfortable space where I could do something meaningful, surrounded by interesting people. I was always ready to work hard — especially on things that lit me up.

When I started my business, I didn’t even think I was starting a business. I just didn’t want to work for morons — and I needed to support my family. All I really wanted was a comfortable space where I could do something meaningful, surrounded by interesting people. I was always ready to work hard — especially on things that lit me up.

One of the most valuable skills I’ve gained throughout my entrepreneurial journey is the ability to look at a business from a distance — to zoom out and see the big picture.

This is the final letter in my series on the power of setting the right goals as an entrepreneur. Initially, I planned to fit it all into a single message. But as I got deeper into the topic, I realized: goals are too important, too layered, too foundational for a quick overview. They determine everything.

What is a business empire? It’s a massive, high-impact machine. One that shapes markets, influences industries, and sometimes steers entire economies. Think public companies, powerful family-owned firms, investment giants.

Everything in life has a beginning and an end. We’re born, we live, we leave. Just a brief moment in the grand eternity. And how we spend it - that’s on us. Will we aim for something meaningful - raising kids, growing as humans, helping others? Or will we drown in endless pleasure-seeking, only to realize (if we ever do) that we wasted that moment on nothing?

Ever catch yourself overcomplicating things? For no reason. Out of thin air. Yeah, same here. Regularly. Maybe it’s because I love building things. Maybe it’s the inner tech nerd. Maybe it’s curiosity. Or maybe… it’s just procrastination in disguise.

Eugene, I see that you’re a System Guy. Everything you do is organized and structured. But what exactly are you talking about when you say ‘systems’? Are we talking tools? Software? Automation? And who is this even for?

The other day, while reflecting on entrepreneurial risks and my own transformation over the past three years—from running a large IT outsourcing company to becoming a solopreneur and business consultant—I caught myself constantly repeating Charles Dickens’ famous words: "Never say 'never'".

How often do you leave the house thinking you might not come back? We try not to dwell on bad things. But bad things don’t care what we think. Accidents, disasters—we always believe it won’t happen to us.

We all have goals we strive for. But not everyone manages to reach them. For entrepreneurs, this is even more critical—your success depends on achieving your goals. But distractions are everywhere—clients, family, unexpected issues.

I dreamed to build a team, a culture, and a workplace where people wanted to be. A space for creativity, not just a place to clock in and out. After all, we spend most of our lives working. Whether it’s running your own business or being employed. Whether in an office or remotely.

Business growth is every entrepreneur’s dream. More clients, more sales, more money. But in practice, rapid scaling can hit you like a crisis. Sometimes, it’s even worse.

Everything you see around you, and everything happening within you, is just a product of your brain’s work. On a biological level, there’s barely any difference between reality and imagination.

One of the best ways to truly understand something isn’t just to learn—it’s to teach. This applies not only to skills but also to self-discovery. That’s why working with psychologists can be so effective—even though, in reality, it’s mostly just you talking to yourself. But you don’t *need* a psychologist to gain insights.

Every time someone insists that cold outreach is the only way, someone else swears that inbound is the only thing that works. So, which one is it?

Picture this. You’re finally on your long-awaited vacation. Time to relax, unwind, and enjoy some quality moments with your family. Your phone rings. It’s your HR. A key employee has decided to leave. What’s your move?

Entrepreneurs today face incredible challenges, especially if they’re far removed from the tech world. The pressure comes from all sides: 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.

Every entrepreneur has their own story. Their own goals, values, and path. Each lives in a unique world with their own vision of success.