Joseph Willmott

Roughly 50% of small businesses fail within five years, and nearly two-thirds don’t survive a full decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

This season reminds us that abundance doesn’t come from luck—it comes from planting consistently, nurturing relationships, and adapting when the weather (or the market) turns.

In times of rapid economic or social change, weak signals often hold the key to future success. These are the faint hints—emerging behaviors, unmet needs, or shifting attitudes—that reveal where markets may be headed long before the mainstream catches on.

Independent retailers often struggle to survive against big-box chains. A boutique outdoor gear shop faced this exact battle.

When a small software company named HealthSpace struggled to stay afloat, its leadership was at a crossroads. They had an innovative concept, but reality painted a different picture: undercapitalized, no coherent marketing plan, and customers drifting toward competitors. The question wasn’t whether they were working hard—it was whether

If I ask AI to write it, is it really mine?

The great EV vs gas engine debate isn’t new—it’s just history on repeat. A century ago, the argument wasn’t Tesla vs Toyota—it was buggy whip vs automobile. And trust me, those conversations sounded awfully familiar.

In an unpredictable business environment, relying solely on traditional strategic planning often leaves companies ill-prepared for sudden market shifts. Conventional planning methods typically begin from within, driven by internal biases, assumptions, and objectives that create a misleading sense of control. When unexpected changes arise, these internal blind spots quickly become