Most Business Owners Don’t Know How Business Works—Here’s Why That’s a Problem

Every year, thousands of people start businesses with big dreams and high hopes. They have a great idea, a passion for their product or service, and maybe even a little startup capital. But within five years, 85% of them will have failed. Why? Because most business owners don’t actually know how business works.

Running a business isn’t just about having a great product or being the best at what you do. It’s about understanding the fundamentals—how to manage cash flow, how to price for profit, how to build a sustainable sales pipeline, and how to lead a team that drives results. These aren’t things you pick up overnight, yet too many entrepreneurs jump in without ever learning them.

I’ve been in the trenches. I’ve built businesses from scratch, faced crises that could have taken me down, and navigated the real-world challenges that business schools don’t teach. What I’ve seen over and over again is this: the difference between those who survive and those who don’t isn’t luck—it’s knowledge. The ones who win take the time to learn how business really works.

If your sales are stagnant, your marketing isn’t delivering results, or your operations feel chaotic, chances are you’re missing key business fundamentals. The good news? It’s never too late to learn. But if you keep running on passion alone without a solid strategy, you’ll end up like the majority—out of business and wondering what went wrong.

Lessons from the Trenches is about bridging that gap. It’s about giving business owners the real-world knowledge they need to succeed. Because when you know how business works, you don’t just survive—you thrive. Connect with me here and learn how to manage your business. 

Written by Darlene M. Ziebell