10 Fatal Mistakes That Kill Small Businesses - Bryan Wetzel

Why do 70% of small businesses fail, and how can you ensure yours isn't one of them?Bryan Wetzel is the definition of a serial entrepreneur. From editing high-profile murder trial videos and working the 1996 Olympics to launching education startups and owning restaurants, Bryan has seen the "messy middle" of success from every angle. He survived a near-death car wreck that reshaped his view of the divine and navigated the crushing stress of opening a restaurant just three months before the COVID-19 lockdowns.In this episode of FailCraft, Bryan joins Ezekiel to pull back the curtain on the gritty truth of ownership. He shares the legal trap of "sweat equity" imbalances, the heavy emotional toll of editing the Sarah Tokars murder trial videos, and why "guessing" is the single most dangerous thing you can do in your business.In this episode, you’ll discover:* The Partnership Trap: Why going into business with your best friend or family can permanently ruin the relationship.* The "Got You" Moment: A remarkable story of a car wreck Bryan shouldn't have survived and the divine intervention that followed.* Witness to Tragedy: The intense psychological weight of editing victim impact videos for high-profile crimes.* The #1 Fatal Mistake: Why most owners fail before they even start because they skip the business plan.* The Gym Recovery: How Bryan took a failing gym with 129 members and calculated the exact math needed to reach profitability.* Pivoting After COVID: The reality of running a food business through inflation, shortages, and lockdowns.This episode is for small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the intersection of faith, science, and the grit required to survive a crisis.Connect With Bryan Wetzel:* Website: https://www.bryanthomaswetzel.com/* Substack: https://bryanwetzel.substack.com/* Books: A Path to Faith through Common Sense & The Real Problems Destroying EducationSupport the Show:* Subscribe and leave a review!Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft?* Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraftChapters:00:00 Hook: The Business Plan Warning01:14 Introduction: Bryan Wetzel & The Serial Entrepreneur Life02:04 The Partnership Trap: Sweat Equity vs. Checks06:59 From High-Tech Production to Gritty Restaurants09:10 Opening a Restaurant 3 Months Before COVID10:16 Surviving a Near-Death Experience (The Car Wreck)13:54 Heavy Work: Editing Murder Trial Impact Videos17:20 The #1 Mistake: Why You Need a Business Plan22:28 What Success Looks Like After 5024:22 How to Connect with Bryan