Most Business Plans Are Fiction: Lessons from building a tech company from scratch

Most founders believe that if they just follow the plan, success will come. But Elizabeth Gooch - who built a global tech company from her bedroom with £1 - says that’s rubbish. In this episode, she tears apart the fantasy that growth is just about working harder or sticking to a five-year roadmap. Business isn’t predictable, and those who cling to their plans instead of adapting are the ones who get stuck. She talks about the real reason most businesses plateau, why most leaders are winging it, and how to stop wasting time on strategies that don’t translate to results. Elizabeth also gets into the tough moments - the times her company was on the brink, the brutal lessons in leadership, and the realities of selling a business under pressure. She doesn’t sugar-coat the challenges, but she does have a clear message: if you’re serious about growth, you need to rethink everything you assume about how businesses scale. This is a conversation for people who want the truth, not recycled advice. If you’re running a business and feel like you’re pushing against a wall, you need to hear this.