Running a business comes with plenty of unknowns, but one thing every founder can agree on is this: the right advice at the right time can change everything! Whether you’re launching your first idea, building a team, or just trying to make sense of that never-ending to-do list, a single piece of advice can shift your mindset and shape the way you lead.
We asked business owners to share the best advice they’ve ever received. Their answers reveal lessons that aren’t just helpful, but transformative.
Learn, Master, and Delegate
For one founder, the most valuable piece of guidance came from someone who had walked the same path.
“Learn, master, and delegate… I struggled to find and maintain a sustainable flow. Learning from my mistakes, mastering essential skills, and… delegating tasks to employees.” – Mimi Nguyen, Founder, Cafely
Once this founder embraced delegation, her operations strengthened, her mindset shifted, and her stress levels dropped. Instead of fearing setbacks, she began treating them as opportunities for growth. And by stepping back when she needed to, she found healthier balance and clearer decision-making. You don’t have to carry the whole business on your shoulders.
Never Stop Learning
Some advice is so simple that it’s easy to overlook, until a mentor spells out the cost of ignoring it.
“The best thing I could do for myself and for business is to keep learning. When you stop learning, you stop growing, then complacency sets in.” – Edward Tian, CEO, GPTZero
Edward’s mentor put growth into perspective, because stagnancy is dangerous. In a world where competitors keep innovating and customers keep evolving, standing still isn’t just neutral, it is moving backwards. Staying curious, staying engaged, and staying committed to learning is one of the most reliable long term strategies a founder can adopt.
Your Existing Customers Are Your Most Important Ones
One founder learned early on that growth doesn’t start with reaching outward, it starts with strengthening what’s already in front of you.
“My most important customers should always be my existing ones… Building that solid foundation of customers you can rely on for consistent business is necessary for growth and pivotal for longevity.”
— Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO, Cabana
Jeremy’s mentor reframed how he thought about long-term success. While acquiring new customers matters, retention creates stability. Loyal customers don’t just buy, they return, refer, and sustain. Focusing on the people who already trust you gives your business a durable backbone and a more predictable future.
So What’s the Message?
Here’s what these leaders want you to remember:
- You don’t have to do everything alone
- Learning is your most valuable long-term investment
- Strengthening existing customers strengthens your entire company
Great advice doesn’t just guide your next move, it shapes the kind of entrepreneur you become!