In a world where shiny new startups and high-tech solutions are often worshiped, Nick Hubber offers a refreshing perspective on entrepreneurship. His journey and his book, “The Swetti Startup,” argues that the fastest route of money is not through the latest technical tendency, but through the discovery of simple, “boring” businesses.
These businesses cannot make headlines or attract attention as the next large AI app, but they provide frequent returns, manageable risks, and are often very easy to scale.
To deep digging in these ideas, I sat down with niche with Nick, sitting on the podcast to identify high-evident local businesses to form a team on podcast and to discuss everything to avoid general losses, which often encounter new entrepreneurs. We also work in some major insights from his book, including his ideas about hiring, vs. start a business, and why “boring” business often give extraordinary results.
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Why simple, boring businesses are the fastest track for money
The story prevalent in the entrepreneurship world is often concentrated around the innovations of success – AI chatbots, blockchain and NFT. While these technologies offer great opportunities for a few select people, they are not the most accessible or durable passage for success for the average entrepreneur. Instead, Huber argues that:
- Boring businesses are often more approximate and stable.
- They meet everyday needs and demand a proven market.
- They face less competition than state -of -the -art undertakings.
By focusing on businesses that can look worldly, but are in high demand-such as plumbing, HVAC services, or tree removal-can exclude a profitable place without intensive competition or unexpected results that are often associated with high-tech undertakings.
A practical approach to evaluate business ideas
One of the most useful concepts of Huber in his book is “10-minute drill”. This simple practice helps entrepreneurs to assess the feasibility of a business idea before performing time or resources.
Hubber displays this approach to a friend’s idea of starting a house painting business and researching competition in his local area. Within minutes, he found that the market was saturated with eager rivals, offering similar services, which led to a poor investment. Drills include major stages:
- Search for local contestants: Check how many businesses already serve in your area.
- Evaluate their availability and accountability: Are they curious for business? How soon do they respond to inquiry?
- Assess customer response: See the quality of online reviews and their services.
This drill can help entrepreneurs to avoid wasting time on ideas that are already oversed and focus on more promising opportunities.
Scaling for success and building a team
As business grows, scaling becomes an important component of success. Huber discusses the importance of hiring the right people and creating a team that complements your vision. He emphasizes that it is necessary to hand over your time free to focus on strategic development.
Huber shared his experience of hiring for his self-storey and construction service businesses, given that the first fare should generally be to take administrative duties, such as customer service or scheduling, to focus on sales and growth.
In the context of finding the right people, Hubber recommended:
- Internationally: International fare can be more cost -effective and provide a great way to expand your team without stress of high overhead costs.
- Set up clear expectations: To ensure that new fares understand their role and responsibilities, many entrepreneurs are important to prevent those issues when they fail to represent properly.
- Focusing on skills, not resumes: Huber hired a Walmart employee, who demonstrated an extraordinary initiative. This fare became one of the best employees in their business, showing that a great work morality and approach can often be more valuable than formal qualifications.
Buy business case
When starting a business with scratch, it has benefits, Hubber shared that his personal priority has moved towards purchasing existing businesses.
They argue that buying a business allows an entrepreneur to leave many initial obstacles related to starting from scratches, such as the construction of customer base, establishing brand recognition, and dealing with the learning state of business operations.
However, Huber admits that buying business is not for everyone. This requires a separate skill set – in particular, the ability to evaluate businesses, understand their financial, and present any potential red flags that can pose risks under the road. While considering the purchase, he advises to find:
- A solid track record: Business should have a history of stable revenue and manageable loan.
- Experienced owner: Avoid businesses where the owners are inexperienced or they have poor management practices, as it can cause major headaches.
- Opportunities for improvement: Look for businesses that can benefit from your expertise, whether through digital marketing or operational improvement.
Personal branding role in business development
Huber also examines the importance of the establishment of an individual brand, especially in today’s digital age. While many entrepreneurs may feel that their primary focus should be on increasing their business, Hubber argues that the construction of online appearance can provide significant advantage.
His individual brand has opened doors to partnerships, investors and customers who were impossible without it. To effectively manufacture an individual brand, Hubber suggests:
- Be transparent: Share your successes, but also be open about your struggles and lessons. This authenticity helps in creating faith with your audience.
- Proposal value: Instead of promoting your business, focus on offering the insight that other people in your industry can use. It presents you as an expert and attracts those who are really offering you.
- Consistency is the key: Posting regularly on social media and connecting with your audience is important to increase your brand over time.
By sharing its journey of its self-storey business and the construction of real estate ventures, Hubber displayed how to accelerate the development of individual branding business and establish credibility in the market.
final thoughts
Nick Hubber’s message is clear: While the world can idolize attractive technology startups, real wealth is simple, often lies in unexpected businesses. By focusing on practical, proven models and learning how to score them, entrepreneurs can create permanent success with low risk and more stability.
Whether you choose to start a business, buy an individual brand, the key is to focus on what works instead of chasing after the latest trend. Following Huber’s advice to identify low-perception, for those looking for a dive into business with the highest probability of success, the high-mang market is a solid first step towards financial freedom.
