From the Trenches: 10 Unconventional Growth Hacks I’ve Learnt as a Scrappy Aussie Entrepreneur
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Ever feel like you’re sprinting on a treadmill with your business—flat out, but going nowhere fast? Yeah, I’ve been there. I’m Nathan Baws, and my entrepreneurial ride has been anything but straight and narrow. From humble beginnings launching health shops out of sheer grit, to pitching under pressure on Shark Tank, to helping other Aussies wade through the chaos of growing something real—I’ve seen the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Over the years, I’ve noticed that traditional business advice often misses the mark. It’s polished, theoretical, and sometimes downright unrealistic for folks like us who are bootstrapping, battling burnout, or building a business with partners. That’s why I’ve boiled down the 10 unconventional growth strategies that have genuinely worked for me. These aren’t cookie-cutter tips—they’re forged in the fire, grounded in experience, and built to last.
And while we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of marketing, resilience, and scaling smart, there’s one often-overlooked piece of the puzzle I’ll keep coming back to: your partnership legal structure. It’s the anchor of any solid collaboration, and trust me—if you ignore it, you’ll feel the sting later.
Key Takeaways
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Clever marketing tactics that cost next to nothing
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A mindset built to survive setbacks
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Practical, focused scaling for long-term success
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The underrated power of your partnership legal structure
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Real stories from the trenches—no fluff
1. Zero-Cost Marketing Stunts (That Actually Work)
Guerilla Marketing: Big Impact, Small Budget
You don’t need a six-figure ad budget to get noticed. I once set up a “mystery health station” at a local weekend market. We gave out free samples, offered wellness tips, and let curiosity do the rest. That little stunt cost me maybe $200 but brought in hundreds of new leads. The key? Be surprising. Be memorable. Think outside the box—that’s where the most innovative business solutions usually live.
And if you’re not going it alone, your partnership legal structure needs to clearly define who’s responsible for pulling off these creative stunts. Nothing kills momentum like confusion over who’s doing what.
Social Media Done Right
It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being real. One of my most engaging posts was a photo of me restocking shelves at midnight with a dodgy-looking headlamp. People loved it. They shared it. They related to it.
Again, your partnership legal structure matters here. Who manages the socials? Who replies to messages? Clear that up early, and you’ll avoid a heap of miscommunication down the line.
Content with a Punch
Blog posts, videos, reels—they all matter, but only if they mean something to your audience. I’ve written blog posts about natural health that quietly turned into long-term client funnels. The secret? Solve a problem. Keep it real.
Got a business partner? Your partnership agreement should outline content creation roles, intellectual property rights, and who gets final say.
2. The Mindset that Keeps You Moving
Embrace Failure—It’s Part of the Game
One of my biggest flops was a protein smoothie product that completely tanked. But the insights I pulled from that launch helped me smash it on the next product line. Don’t just survive failure—study it.
And here’s the kicker: when failure happens, it’s easier to bounce back if you and your partner share accountability. That’s where your partnership legal structure provides protection and clarity.
Build Grit Like a Muscle
There are seasons when the money’s not coming in, and doubt creeps in. That’s when grit matters most. Keep showing up. Keep adjusting. Keep believing.
A strong legal partnership agreement sets joint goals that keep you and your partner aligned when things get rough.
Pivot Like a Pro
When the world went digital, I had to shift a major part of my business online—fast. Being flexible saved my bacon. Pivoting isn’t about abandoning your mission—it’s about adapting to keep it alive.
Again, this is where a smart partnership legal structure shines. It should outline how big decisions get made and how pivots are handled.
Mental Fitness is Non-Negotiable
Burnout’s real. I used to pride myself on 80-hour weeks until I realised it wasn’t sustainable. Now, I schedule breaks, walks in nature, or just time to breathe. Mental clarity = business clarity.
A well-structured partnership eases the emotional load, especially when roles are clearly divided.
3. Strategic Scaling: Grow Smart, Not Fast
Know Your Levers
Not all activities grow your business equally. For me, e-commerce was the lever that made everything else easier. Once I saw the numbers, I doubled down and scaled intentionally.
A partnership legal structure helps divide and conquer. If your partner’s strength is logistics and yours is sales, lean into that.
Streamline Like a Boss
Efficiency is sexy. We automated customer follow-ups with basic tools, shaved hours off fulfilment time, and boosted profit. It's about trimming fat and building systems that grow with you.
Structure your business partnership to support this kind of improvement—it should outline roles for operations, tech, and accountability.
Tech Isn’t Optional
We use automation tools for inventory, analytics, and customer retention. You don’t need to build an app—just pick the right tools for your stage.
And yes, decide who’s managing what before something breaks.
Build a Real Team
Your people are your power. Hire for alignment with your values, not just skills. The right person multiplies your efforts.
Make sure your partnership agreement is clear about hiring authority and leadership roles.
4. Partnerships Done Right: Build with the Right People
Find the Right Fit
The best partnerships aren’t built on friendship—they’re built on complementary strengths and a shared vision. I once partnered with a logistics expert who completely transformed our delivery process. We each stayed in our lane—and soared.
Use your partnership legal structure to spell this out. Who brings what to the table? Who’s calling the shots on which parts?
Structure is Safety
A solid partnership agreement is like a seatbelt—most people ignore it until it’s too late. It should cover:
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Equity and profit split
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Who makes decisions (and how)
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Dispute resolution
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Exit strategies
Don't wing it. Get legal advice and do it properly.
Communicate Like It’s Your Job
I’ve avoided major blowups just by having regular, honest chats with my partners. Talk about wins, concerns, dreams—all of it.
You can even formalise this in your partnership terms: monthly check-ins, annual reviews, etc. It keeps everyone accountable.
Handle Conflict with Maturity
Disagreements are normal. What matters is how you resolve them. In my case, the toughest arguments led to the most important pivots.
Again, your partnership agreement should include a clear dispute resolution pathway—from mediation to formal processes.
5. Financial Foundations for Sustainable Growth
Bootstrap Like a Pro
I bootstrapped most of my early ventures. It’s gritty, but you learn fast. Every dollar needs a purpose, and reinvesting profits is how you grow without debt hanging over your head.
With partners, be clear on who’s funding what—your partnership legal structure should reflect capital contributions.
Know When to Seek Investors
Don’t chase investors until you’ve proven your model. When I finally pitched, I had solid numbers, a working business, and a clear ask.
Investors will ask to see your partnership agreement. If it’s messy, they’ll walk.
Cash Flow is King
Cash doesn’t lie. I’ve made sacrifices to keep the lights on, and I’ve learned to forecast and protect the lifeblood of the business.
Assign financial oversight clearly in your agreement—who tracks income, handles payments, approves spending?
Plan Your Growth
You don’t need a 30-page business plan—but you do need goals. I map out stretch goals every quarter and track progress religiously.
Set shared financial goals with your partner, and use your legal structure to enforce budget responsibility.
6. Innovate or Die
Read the Signs
Pay attention to trends, forums, what your customers are saying. I got ahead of a wellness trend just by listening to what people were Googling.
Allocate trend-watching to someone in your team or partnership.
Embrace Tech & Behavioural Shifts
People are mobile now—literally and digitally. We jumped on a food delivery app when traffic shifted, and saw a huge revenue bump.
Your partnership structure should give someone permission to make fast tech decisions when needed.
Encourage Innovation
Let your team or partners test ideas. One intern pitched a giveaway promo that went viral. Worth the risk? Absolutely.
Divide R&D responsibilities in your partnership contract to avoid red tape.
Stay Curious
I’m still learning every week. Podcasts, mentors, books, conversations—they keep me sharp.
Make learning part of your business culture. And choose a partner who’s just as curious.
Final Word
This journey’s not a sprint—it’s a long, wild marathon. The lessons I’ve shared—bold marketing, mental resilience, strategic scaling, and a rock-solid partnership legal structure—are what have kept me in the game.
Your legal framework isn’t paperwork. It’s your peace of mind. It keeps your vision intact when things get rocky, and it helps good partnerships thrive.
Keen to grow something that lasts? I offer consulting and speaking gigs tailored to Aussie entrepreneurs who are building from the ground up. Let’s turn that grind into something unstoppable.
FAQs
Q: How do I scale with limited resources?
Lean into cheap marketing, automation, and a focused product line. Bootstrap where you can.
Q: Why is the partnership legal structure so important?
It defines roles, rights, and responsibilities. It protects the business and the people in it.
Q: What are some zero-cost marketing ideas?
Local activations, viral social posts, community engagement, and rich content.
Q: How do I build a resilient mindset?
Accept failure, stay consistent, and create space for recovery and clarity.
Q: When should I seek investors?
Once you’ve proven traction and have a clear business case.
