Introduction: Ditch the Rulebook, Go Rogue

Entrepreneurship ain’t for the faint-hearted—it’s a full-on rollercoaster, complete with gut-dropping lows and sky-high wins. I’m Nathan Baws, and I’ve lived to tell the tale. I’ve gone from building health shops from the ground up to getting grilled on Shark Tank and pulling off marketing stunts wild enough to raise eyebrows at your nan’s Sunday roast. If you’re sick of the same old business advice that sounds like it’s straight out of a textbook, this is your sign to bin it. We’re diving into the real stuff—10 powerful, unorthodox growth hacks that’ve helped me thrive in partnership businesses and take startups to the next level.

The Power of Partnership Businesses

Strategic Alliances: More Than Just Mateship

You don’t have to do this solo. Strategic partnerships are like secret weapons—you bring your strengths to the table, and your partner does the same. I once teamed up with local gyms to plug my health shops. They had the crowd, I had the goods. Boom—mutual growth. That’s how partnership businesses work best. Pick partners who get your vibe and add something fresh to your mix.

Navigating the Human Side of Partnerships

Partnership businesses can be magic, but they’re not always sunshine and rainbows. I’ve had a few where we butted heads over everything from branding to who was in charge of what. The key? Clear-as-day communication. Sort out roles, align goals, and don’t sweep disagreements under the rug. That’s how you keep the wheels from falling off.

Structuring It Right from Day Dot

You wouldn’t build a house without a solid foundation, right? Same goes for partnership businesses. From my own experience, putting every detail down on paper—from revenue splits to exit clauses—can save your bacon later. Don’t be afraid to rope in a lawyer. Structure it tight now, so you’re not scrambling later.

Leveraging Partnerships to Grow Like Mad

When done right, partnership businesses can skyrocket your growth. I’ve launched into new cities by tagging in with local players, cut time-to-market in half, and doubled my reach. Find partners who fill the gaps you can’t and work together to smash goals. It’s like jet fuel for your business.

Creative Marketing That Doesn’t Break the Bank

Stunt Marketing: Shock 'Em Into Noticing

Money’s tight? No dramas. I once faked a mini health panic at one of my shops (don’t worry—it was all for show). The media bit, the crowd came running, and I didn’t spend a cent. Wild? Yep. But it worked. When you tie that sort of energy in with your partnership businesses, you’re doubling the impact.

Guerrilla Marketing: Go Rogue and Go Big

I’ve rolled out pop-up tastings in carparks and got mates to hand out freebies in busy shopping centres. It's messy, it’s bold, and it works. Guerrilla marketing grabs attention where people least expect it—and when you do it as a tag team with a partner brand, you’ll get double the eyes.

Social Media with Soul

Social media ain’t just for showing off your lunch. I’ve shared wins, fails, and raw moments from my Shark Tank pitch. That honesty builds loyalty. When you’re in a partnership business, use each other’s platforms—cross-tag, co-create, build that community. It’s all about reach and connection.

Content That’s Worth a Read

Forget the hard sell—give people something they can use. I’ve blogged about everything from failed launches to marketing flops, and you’d be shocked how many folks came back for more. People trust you when you keep it real. Add in a partner brand and create content that offers double the insight.

The Mindset That Keeps You in the Game

Failure’s Your Best Mate

I launched a store once and it tanked, hard. But that failure taught me more than any win could. With partnership businesses, having someone to share the load with makes those flops easier to stomach. Own the mistake, learn from it, and bounce back swinging.

Growth Comes from the Inside Out

You’ve got to want it—bad. I never stop learning. Books, mentors, podcasts—you name it. Being in partnership businesses helps here too. You’ve got someone to bounce off, someone to challenge your ideas and spark new ones. Keep the ego in check, and stay hungry.

Fear’s Just a Feeling, Mate

I’ve been terrified—especially pitching to the Shark Tank crew—but fear never stopped me. I listed out wins, leaned on my support crew, and just kept pushing. You can’t wait to feel ready. You’ve just gotta go for it.

Stay Up, Stay Positive

Even on the rough days, I write down three things going right. Sounds simple, but it flips your mindset. In partnership businesses, a good partner can help you keep your spirits high and your head in the game.

Nathan Baws: In the Thick of It

Somewhere in the thick of this madness, I realised what works isn’t always what’s taught in business school. It’s the wildcard moves—the stunts, the human connection, the honest flops—that really drive success. That’s the heart of Nathan Baws' approach: break the rules (smartly), back your gut, and lean into partnerships that make sense.

Scaling Smart with Startups

Bootstrapping Like a Legend

I didn’t start with a pile of cash. I flipped profits back into the business and kept it lean. Bootstrapping forces creativity. When you’ve got a partnership business, you can share the load—costs, responsibilities, resources. It stretches every dollar further.

Tech as Your Best Mate

I’ve used automation tools, cheap CRM systems, and free design platforms to run full ops. Partnership businesses can benefit big here—share tools, reduce overheads, and grow faster.

Build to Scale, Not Just to Sell

From day one, I built with scale in mind—repeatable systems, simple processes, and easy-to-teach methods. That’s how you go from one shop to many. Partnership businesses fit beautifully into scalable models. Find a formula that works and replicate it together.

Expansion via Strategic Partners

Don’t go it alone. I’ve partnered with suppliers, distributors, even other brands to crack new markets. It’s faster, cheaper, and way more fun. The right partner opens doors you can’t kick down solo.

Creative Problem-Solving: Think Differently

Question Everything

Why follow the crowd? I’ve turned around dud campaigns by flipping the whole idea. Ran a backwards promo once—it actually worked. Partnership businesses can double your creative firepower.

Brainstorm Like a Madman

I’ve had the best ideas come from the dumbest sounding brainstorms. Throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. Bring your business partner in for the ride—more brains, better ideas.

Design Thinking for Real People

Start with what your customer actually needs. I’ve lived my customers’ pain points and built solutions from there. When you’ve got partnership businesses, each party brings fresh insights into customer behaviour.

Improvise Like MacGyver

No cash? No dramas. I’ve swapped services, done trades, and hustled for favours. Creativity comes alive under pressure. Partnership businesses let you pool resources and do more with less.

Build a Team That’ll Ride the Waves with You

Talent That Cares

I’ve worked with folks who were all in—and they made the difference. Hire for passion and potential, not just flash resumes. In partnership businesses, you want the same energy across the board.

Let Go and Watch 'Em Fly

I’ve had to learn to delegate—and it changed everything. When you let people own their role, they rise. Partnership businesses thrive when both sides trust their teams to do the job.

Create a Killer Culture

Laugh together, hustle together. Culture drives performance. Whether in-house or in a joint venture, make sure the vibe is right. Celebrate wins, even the little ones.

Lead Like You Mean It

I don’t just dish orders—I mentor, guide, and walk the talk. Leadership isn’t about shouting the loudest. In partnership businesses, strong, respectful leadership on both sides keeps things tight.

Conclusion: Go Wild or Go Home

This journey? It’s gritty, unpredictable, and downright addictive. These 10 wildcard strategies—from scrappy marketing to tight partnership businesses—are my real-world playbook. They’ve worked for me, and they can work for you.

Forget the rulebook. Back yourself. Get creative. Team up smart. Grow something epic.

Got questions? Want to build a ripper growth plan for your startup? Reach out—I’m all ears and full of wild ideas.

FAQs

How do I scale my startup with limited resources?
Bootstrap it, partner smart, use free tools—get lean and build smart.

What mindset shifts help business growth?
Embrace the fails, stay curious, beat the fear, and stay positive.

Can I market effectively with no budget?
Absolutely—use stunts, guerrilla moves, social storytelling, and real-deal content.

What’s crucial for a successful partnership business?
Clear roles, shared goals, tight communication, and mutual wins.

How do I stay resilient through business setbacks?
Learn from the pain, lean on your tribe, and keep your chin up.

What are creative ways to solve problems in business?
Flip the script, brainstorm big, build for people, and improvise.

How do I build the right team?
Hire with heart, empower fully, vibe well, and lead by example.

What common mistakes should entrepreneurs avoid?
No plan, ignoring feedback, ego overload—stay humble and adaptable.

How important is networking?
Massive. Build genuine relationships—they open doors and deals.

Final advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Love what you do, show up every day, and never, ever give in.