Why Being Nimble and Failing Fast Is Essential for Small Businesses

In the world of start-ups and small businesses, flexibility is often the difference between success and failure. Yet, many entrepreneurs become overly fixated on executing their original idea, even when the market signals a need for change.

Having a flexible mindset and a willingness to test, iterate, and pivot often yields far better results than rigidly adhering to the original blueprint. I like to say entrepreneurs need to be like a chameleon—ready to adapt and evolve with emerging opportunities.

Recently, I worked with a start-up aiming to sell crickets as an alternative protein source. Their initial plan focused on promoting whole crickets as a sustainable meat substitute. However, they quickly discovered that the market wasn’t ready to embrace such a bold concept.

Rather than clinging to their original idea, the founders chose to take a nimble approach. Through experimentation, they realised that consumers were far more receptive to familiar-looking products. By reimagining their offering, they began creating cricket-based foods that resembled traditional favourites, such as burgers. As I commented during one of our discussions, “If it looks like a burger, tastes like a burger, it’s a burger.”

This shift in focus has been transformative. Their new products are gaining significant traction, attracting interest from leading brands and well-known restaurants.

The lesson here is clear: success often requires the courage to abandon what isn’t working and embrace what does.

Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs:

1. Test and Iterate: Use data and customer feedback to refine your approach.

2. Remain Nimble: Be prepared to adapt when market conditions change.

3. Be Like a Chameleon: Shift your strategy to match where the opportunities lie.

4. Fail Fast: If something isn’t working, stop. Learn, pivot, and move forward.

5. Go With the Grain: Pursue strategies that align with consumer preferences and market demand.

In business, clinging to an idea that isn’t delivering results is like swimming against the tide—it’s exhausting and unproductive. Instead, embrace change, test ideas quickly, and focus on where the opportunities truly are.

What’s one way you’ve adapted in your own business journey? I’d love to hear your thoughts.