MBA for Entrepreneurs

Phil Smy

Welcome to MBA for Entrepreneurs, the podcast where real-world lessons meet practical business strategies. Hosted by Phil Smy—a former SaaS founder turned MBA graduate now living in rural Japan—this show is all about bridging the gap between technical skills and entrepreneurial success. Each episode dives into actionable insights on leadership, finances, startup strategies, and personal growth, while sharing candid stories from Phil’s own journey—from coding to creating meaningful businesses. You’ll also hear from an incredible network of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and MBA grads who’ve

Episodes

  1. 01/30/2025

    Failure IS an Option: Why Every Entrepreneur Needs to Fail | MBA for Entrepreneurs

    Failure in entrepreneurship isn’t just likely—it’s guaranteed at some point. But here’s the truth: failing doesn’t make you a failure. It’s what you do next that defines you. In this episode, we break down the realities of failure, why so many startups don’t make it past their first few years, and most importantly—how to learn from failure instead of letting it stop you. 📉 Why do startups fail? Harvard Business Review found that 30% of startups fail within five years, and a major reason is the inability to pivot. Many founders fall in love with their first idea and ignore clear signs they need to adjust. I share my own failure story—launching a mobile casino product way before the tech and market were ready. Timing matters, and I learned the hard way. 💡 Good failure vs. bad failure Good failure teaches you valuable lessons, like Arianna Huffington’s failed run for governor that led to the creation of the Huffington Post. Bad failure happens when companies deceive or ignore feedback—like Innisfree’s “paper” bottle that turned out to be plastic, leading to a huge customer backlash. 🛠 How to recover from failure and bounce back stronger Monetary Recovery: Finding new revenue streams fast to stabilize. Psychological Recovery: Taking a break, stepping back, and regaining perspective. Post-Mortem Analysis: Asking the hard questions—what went wrong, and how do I make sure it doesn’t happen again? 🔥 Failure isn’t the end—it’s a pivot point. If you’ve faced failure in your business, you’re not alone. And if you’re struggling with what comes next, let’s talk! I love hearing about people’s startups—seriously, no charge, just a great conversation. Reach out anytime. 📩 Subscribe to my Substack for deep dives into entrepreneurship: https://philonrails.substack.com🔗 Follow the podcast for more real talk on startups, success, and everything in between. Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of the journey. Let’s learn from it together. 🚀

    9 min

About

Welcome to MBA for Entrepreneurs, the podcast where real-world lessons meet practical business strategies. Hosted by Phil Smy—a former SaaS founder turned MBA graduate now living in rural Japan—this show is all about bridging the gap between technical skills and entrepreneurial success. Each episode dives into actionable insights on leadership, finances, startup strategies, and personal growth, while sharing candid stories from Phil’s own journey—from coding to creating meaningful businesses. You’ll also hear from an incredible network of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and MBA grads who’ve