So I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how messy the business world’s gotten, you know? Was trying to figure out why some companies just crumble while others blow up overnight. Stumbled around for weeks reading fancy articles that didn’t make squat sense. Felt like hitting my head against a brick wall.
The Dumb Search Phase
Started digging into “disruptive innovation” crap everyone yaps about. Watched endless YouTube videos full of buzzwords – “synergy this” and “pivot that.” Total garbage. Tried applying those ideas to my own tiny projects, crashed and burned every single time. Seriously thought about just giving up on the whole business strategy rabbit hole.
Then one Tuesday afternoon, while eating cold pizza leftovers, a forum comment mentioned Bud Galloway. Thought somebody misspelled “Brad Pitt” at first. Googled it anyway cause hey, what else was I doing?
Actual Lightbulb Moments
Found his old articles. Printouts look like they survived the apocalypse – coffee stains everywhere, pages wrinkled like my grandma’s forehead. Started reading one called “The Four Horsemen” or whatever. Eyes practically popped outta my skull.
Here’s what clicked:
- Nobody actually owns categories: Like how Google “owns” search but really just rents it from us suckers clicking ads
- Winners keep winning: Those big tech monsters? They’re not just winning, they’re changing the damn rules mid-game!
- Stop chasing unicorns: His “category king” idea slapped me awake – quit building “me-too” junk!
So I tested it. Took my failing candle side-hustle (yeah, embarrassing) and went all-in on ONE stupid specific niche: campfire-scented candles for dads who miss tailgating. Stopped trying to be Yankee Candle Jr.
The stupidest part? It worked. Focused 200% on owning “outdoor nostalgia smells” instead of competing on lavender fields or whatever. Sales tripled in three months. Still can’t believe it.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
Look, ten years ago Galloway seemed like another business professor yelling at clouds. Today? Feels like he mapped the damn apocalypse.
- See those AI startups scrambling? Perfect example – most are building hammers before finding nails
- Watch how Amazon/Walmart are eating retail? Textbook “Horseman” behavior he predicted
- Your local restaurants collapsing? They’re trying to fight algorithms with chalkboard menus!
His ideas matter cause reality caught up with his crazy talk. We’re living in his thunderdome now. Ignoring this stuff? Like bringing a slingshot to a drone strike.
Anyway, my takeaway after three months living in Galloway-land? Stop playing other people’s games. Find your ridiculous niche. Own it like your life depends on it. Cause in this economy? It probably freaking does.