Author: John Hill

Ever caught yourself daydreaming about running your own business while stuck in a job you’re not passionate about? I know that feeling all too well. For the first part of my 10-year career, I shelved books, rang up sales, and watched customers come and go at a small bookstore. I loved being surrounded by books. But deep down, I wanted more. I wanted to make decisions and build something of my own. The problem? I had no clue where to start. Starting a business felt like this massive, impossible mountain. Everyone around me seemed to be launching startups left and…

From Employee to Entrepreneur: My Uncomfortable Beginning Let me be honest with you from the start — I wasn’t always a business owner. For over ten years, I worked in the book industry. My journey started in 2001 at a small bookshop. In 2004, I asked my manager if I could also work the part-time evening shift at their printing company. For the next six years, I balanced both roles—learning to sell books by day and make them by night. And honestly, I was comfortable. But maybe a little too comfortable. By my third year in the bookshop, something started…

So, you want to start your own business? That’s awesome — but before you jump in, let me share something important with you. I’m not here to discourage you. I just want to help you get ready for what’s really ahead. Back in 2012, I opened my first bookstore. I was excited, motivated, and ready to take on the world. But guess what? A year and three months later, my business completely failed. That failure taught me more than any success ever could. And now, after rebuilding the brand and finally making it work, I want to share the real…

How Simple Words Gave Me Strength to Keep Going Life throws challenges at us when we least expect them. Sometimes we fail. Sometimes we feel like giving up. But what if a few simple phrases could change everything? Let me tell you how simple words saw me through that struggle. My Journey: From Employee to Failed Business Owner Back in 2001, I started working at a small bookshop. For ten years, I dreamed of opening a bookstore of my own. In 2012, that dream finally came true. My co-founder and I opened our first bookstore. We were so excited and…

You know what? For a long time, I thought some people were just born lucky. They always seemed to get the best jobs, meet the right people, and have everything fall perfectly into place. But after years of watching and learning, I realized something important: luck isn’t magic — it’s something you build. The people we call “lucky” aren’t just sitting around waiting for good things to happen. They’re out there working, learning, and preparing themselves. When opportunity knocks, they’re ready to open the door. Let me share what I’ve learned about creating your own luck, based on my journey…

Success doesn’t just happen overnight. My years as a bookstore clerk taught me that real achievement comes from three essential habits. Here’s exactly what took me from employee to business owner—and how you can use these lessons too. Why Most People Give Up Too Early Most people give up when things get tough—not because they lack talent or luck, but because they stop following three core principles. The difference is sticking with these habits, especially when no one is watching. Lesson 1: Show Up Before You Have To My Morning Routine That Nobody Asked For In 2001, I got my…

I’ll never forget the pit in my stomach. I was staring at the company’s bank account, and the numbers didn’t make sense. A huge amount of money was missing. I had assigned one employee to manage our sales and invoices. I had trusted him completely. And then I realized—he had stolen from the company and vanished. That betrayal cost me dearly and taught me a clear truth: one bad hire can undo everything you build, no matter how strong your team. The Red Flags I Ignored Looking back, the warning signs were there. I was too optimistic—or maybe too naïve—to…

It’s 1:30 AM. Fueled by coffee and urgency, I need to share the heart of my entrepreneurial journey—not about sudden success, but the grinding, 10-year struggle with doubt that almost stopped me before I began. If you’ve ever had a dream that everyone in your life told you was a mistake, this is for you. The 10-Year Foundation My journey didn’t start with a business plan. It started in 2001 as a bookstore clerk in my hometown. It was a simple job: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, every day. Because I loved books and wanted to learn everything, I asked…

Back in 2012, I launched my first business. I’d spent years working in a bookstore, so I thought I knew everything. And guess what? I failed — badly. By 2013, my partner was gone, and I was broke, embarrassed, and completely humbled. That failure taught me more than any success ever could. It was a painful, expensive, and necessary wake-up call. I realized my problem wasn’t just a lack of money; I had the wrong mindset about money. I had to build my new business, Wardoh Books, from scratch, alone. I sold my car. I got that $8,000 loan from…

I met Mr. Lim back in 2012, when I was just starting my first small business. His little shop on a quiet street in eastern Singapore wasn’t fancy—the floor tiles were cracked, and the paint was peeling—but it was full of life. Mr. Lim, the older man who ran the small electronics shop in my neighborhood, had been there for thirty years. He had a calmness that I, a young and struggling entrepreneur, deeply craved. I’m the kind of person who asks too many questions. One day, over tea, I asked him straight: “How do you make it work? I…