After watching dozens of ambitious founders chase generic “growth hacks” and burn through resources, I’ve noticed a pattern. The loudest voices in business aren’t always the wisest.

Here are 3 startup myths that are quietly killing businesses:

Myth 1: “Fail fast, fail often”

Reality: There’s a difference between strategic experimentation and reckless failure.

Smart founders test assumptions quickly and learn from setbacks – but they don’t glorify failure itself. The goal isn’t to fail more; it’s to learn faster and fail smaller when testing matters.

Myth 2: “Growth at all costs”

Reality: Sustainable growth beats explosive growth every time. I’ve seen too many promising businesses collapse under the weight of premature scaling or the drive to be the biggest and best. Ego is the enemy within

Sound familiar? If you’re tired of chasing generic growth hacks that drain your resources, it’s time for a different approach. Book a FREE Discovery Call to explore how our strategic consulting helps ambitions founders build sustainable growth strategies that actually work.

Myth 3: “Follow your passion”

Reality: The best businesses sit at the intersection of what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what the market needs. Pure passion without market demand is an expensive hobby, but building a business around something that drains your soul – even if you’re skilled at it – leads to burnout and mediocrity. Find where your interests meet real problems worth solving.

The truth? Generic advice works for generic businesses. But if you’re building something you care about, you need strategies as unique as your vision.

Stop consuming content that makes you feel busy but not productive. Start questioning every piece of advice against your specific context.

Ready to ditch the generic business advice and build a strategy as unique as your vision?

Book your Free consultation, our initial session where we will discuss your specific challenges and explore how our approach can help your business thrive without the generic nonsense.

or explore our strategic programs designed for Founders who want substance over hype

About the Author

Trystan Powell is the founder of Beyond Reasonable, helping ambitious Scottish businesses cut through generic advice to achieve sustainable growth. Ready to challenge conventional wisdom? Book a free call to discuss your unique challenges