Entrepreneurship’s no fairy tale—it’s a full-blown rollercoaster. I’m Nathan Baws, and I’ve copped the wild ride head-on. I’ve built health shops from scratch, gone head-to-head with the big guns on Shark Tank, and pulled off stunts that’d make your nan gasp. It's been messy, thrilling, and anything but cookie-cutter.

That’s why this blog isn’t your standard business-school fluff. I’m laying out 10 unorthodox growth hacks pulled straight from the trenches—tested, twisted, and tailor-made for Aussie entrepreneurs chasing more than mediocrity. Whether you’re launching your first venture or looking to revive a struggling one, this is the not-so-ordinary playbook built to turbocharge your journey.

1. Build Partnership Businesses That Actually Work

Why Go It Alone When You Can Partner Up?

Forget lone-wolf thinking—partnership businesses are a game-changer. I’ve teamed up with local gyms to cross-promote my health shops, and boom—our customers doubled. Partnerships aren’t just about splitting costs; they’re about multiplying your reach without burning more fuel.

Think of it this way: you bring the brand, they bring the audience. Combined? You're a force. It’s about collaboration over competition.

Partnership Dynamics: Keep It Real or It’ll Fall Apart

But let’s not sugarcoat it—partnership businesses can crash if you’re not clear upfront. I’ve seen mates-turned-partners become disasters because the “who’s doing what” convo never happened. Nail down your roles, expectations, and shared goals before diving in.

Put everything on the table—revenue splits, who handles what, even how to end it if needed. It may not sound fun, but it’s crucial. A solid legal framework will save your bacon when things get hairy. Trust me, I’ve been there.

2. Use Guerrilla Marketing (Because Your Wallet’s Not Bottomless)

Make Noise Without Spending Big

Marketing doesn’t have to bleed you dry. One time, I staged a fake “wellness emergency” at my store—nothing illegal, just eyebrow-raising enough to get people talking. The result? People queued around the block to see what the fuss was about. Cost me zilch. Impact? Huge.

This sort of scrappy marketing gets attention. The goal isn’t to spend big—it’s to get clever.

Joint Marketing with Partners = Twice the Reach

This is where partnership businesses flex again. Imagine you and your business partner running a joint stunt—twice the audience, double the exposure, and half the effort. Whether it’s a flash mob, a social media challenge, or a pop-up event in a Bunnings carpark—go big, go bold, or go home.

3. Nail Social Media (But Keep It Raw and Real)

Show Up, Don’t Just Sell

Forget polished perfection—your followers want the real you. I shared my Shark Tank rejection video with commentary on what I’d do differently. People loved it. They didn’t want another pitch—they wanted honesty.

Use social media to build a community, not just sell stuff. Talk to your audience like you would at your local footy club—no jargon, just straight-up value.

Tag-Team Social with Partners

Running a partnership business? Go in together on content. Shout each other out. Run competitions. Use hashtags that both your audiences are searching for. It’s the easiest way to grow without running ads.

4. Content That Converts (Without Sounding Salesy)

Value First, Sell Second

Blogging, newsletters, podcasts—they all work when you’re giving value. I’ve written full posts about my business fails, what I learned, and how not to make the same stuff-ups. That transparency builds trust, and trust builds sales.

Get your partner involved here too. Co-write blogs, feature each other in email blasts, or host a joint webinar. This kind of collaboration brings new eyes and new energy.

5. Failure Isn’t a Brick Wall—It’s a Springboard

Flip the Script on Flops

I’ve launched businesses that face-planted hard. One was in the wrong suburb, another flopped because I overhyped it and underdelivered. It stung, but honestly, I learnt more from those failures than I ever did from the wins.

If you’re running a partnership business, the sting of failure softens a bit—you’ve got someone to share the weight, the lessons, and the bounce back. But even if you're flying solo, don’t let the crash stop you. Take every loss as a lesson. That mindset is what’ll keep you pushing forward when others pack it in.

And if you're feeling stuck, don’t be afraid to lean on small business consulting services. Sometimes an outside perspective is exactly what you need to turn the tide.

6. Embrace the Growth Mindset (It’s Not Just Self-Help Fluff)

Always Be Learning

You can’t grow a business if you’re stuck in the same thinking. I’ve devoured books like a madman, listened to podcasts on long drives, and picked the brains of mentors over coffee. What I’ve learnt? The second you stop learning, you start losing.

A partnership business is a growth cheat code—you’ve got someone else bringing in new ideas and challenges every day. Ride that wave.

7. Fear’s Normal—Just Don’t Let It Run the Show

Doubt Kills More Dreams Than Failure Ever Will

Fear’s not a sign you should stop—it’s a sign you’re stretching. My hands were shaking during my Shark Tank pitch. But I still pitched. Why? Because playing it safe doesn’t build empires.

Write down your fears. Counter them with facts. Build a crew—whether that’s a co-founder or just a few mates in your corner—to hold you up when doubt tries to drag you down.

8. Bootstrap First—Then Scale Like a Pro

Grow Smart, Not Fast

When I first started out, every dollar was precious. I reused signage, bartered for services, and reinvested profits back into stock. It wasn’t glamorous, but it built a rock-solid foundation.

Partnering up makes this easier. You can split startup costs, share resources, and help each other grow lean and mean.

Use Tech to Stretch Further

Apps like Canva, Notion, Trello, and Xero helped me keep things running smooth without hiring extra hands. Whether it’s automating your emails or scheduling social posts—lean into tools that multiply your time. Shared platforms in partnership businesses mean you double your productivity with half the effort.

9. Solve Problems Creatively (Because Plan A Never Works)

Think Weird to Win

Some of my best ideas started as jokes. Once, we ran a “reverse discount day”—the higher your blood pressure at the door, the bigger your discount. Bonkers? Absolutely. But it made headlines and boosted sales.

Get your team or partner together, whiteboard the wildest ideas, and then test them fast. Creative problem-solving thrives in chaos—and partnership businesses bring double the brains to the table.

10. Build a Team That’d Go to War With You

Find People Who Care (Then Get Out of Their Way)

You don’t need a giant team—you need the right team. I’ve hired folks not just for skill, but for grit, heart, and that “let’s bloody do this” attitude.

Once they’re on board, trust them. Empower them. And make sure your partner does the same if you're in a joint venture.

Culture’s King

Celebrate wins. Laugh at mistakes. Take Friday arvos off for a sausage sizzle if you’ve smashed targets. A happy team doesn’t just work harder—they stick around. And that loyalty’s worth more than gold.

Wrap-Up: Forget the Rules. Forge Your Own Path.

Business isn’t about following a rigid formula—it’s about showing up, stuffing up, learning fast, and keeping the fire lit. These 10 hacks—from partnership businesses and creative marketing to gritty mindset shifts—are your invitation to do things differently.

No fluff. No filters. Just real-deal growth strategies straight from the coalface.

Want to Level Up Your Business with Me?

Got questions, need a strategy session, or ready to roll out your own not-so-ordinary playbook? Let’s talk. Hit me up—Nathan Baws, your mate in the hustle.

FAQs

Q: How do I scale a startup with barely any budget?
A: Bootstrapping’s your best mate—reinvest early profits, use free tools, and lean on partnership businesses to split costs.

Q: How important is mindset in entrepreneurship?
A: Crucial. Failures will hit you hard—what keeps you going is a growth mindset, grit, and the ability to laugh in the storm.

Q: What’s the best way to market without spending a cent?
A: Guerrilla tactics, creative social content, and joint stunts with partners. Buzz is better than a billboard.

Q: What makes a partnership business succeed?
A: Shared vision, clear roles, airtight agreements, and mutual respect. No ego, just synergy.

Q: How do I turn failure into progress?
A: Own it. Analyse what flopped, tweak it, and treat every setback as training, not trauma.

Q: How do I get the best out of my team?
A: Hire for attitude, lead by example, and build a culture where people want to win with you.

Q: What’s your #1 growth hack?
A: Collaboration over competition. Partnership businesses will take you further, faster—if you do them right.