Mistakes
The biggest marketing mistake I made as a restaurant owner
I burned $8,000 in four months trying to do everything at once. Here is what I would do differently.
Restaurant owner, Austin6 min readFeb 14, 2026
Stories
Real stories from small business owners
Long-form, first-person notes from the people actually running the shops. What they tried, what flopped, what worked, and what they wish someone had told them on day one.
Mistakes
I spent $2,000 on Facebook ads with nothing to show for it
Six weeks, eleven campaigns, and a slow lesson about what the dashboard does not tell you.
Boutique pet supply shop owner, Portland5 min readJan 22, 2026
Mistakes
Why I stopped running Groupon deals (and what I wish I had known sooner)
Three deals, 412 redemptions, and a customer base that took 18 months to recover.
Massage studio owner, San Diego6 min readMar 4, 2026
Mistakes
The influencer I paid $1,000 who delivered 3 likes
I learned the hard way that follower count is the most lie-able number in marketing.
Skincare brand founder, Brooklyn5 min readFeb 2, 2026
Mistakes
How I killed my coffee shop's Instagram engagement in 30 days
I followed the advice from every social media coach on Twitter. Engagement dropped 80 percent.
Coffee shop co-owner, Asheville6 min readMar 19, 2026