The Hardest Decision I Made: Why Shutting Down a Business Was My Best Lesson in Growth.

Success stories are easy to share. We love talking about the wins, the growth charts, and the profitable exits. But one of the most formative experiences of my career was a "failure": the dissolution of Thurgo Limited in 2017.

And I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.

After years of building the brand and competing in the cut-throat electronics market, it became clear the landscape was shifting dramatically. We were fighting an uphill battle against razor-thin margins and logistical behemoths. Continuing down that path would have meant burning more cash, time, and energy for diminishing returns.

The decision to wind down the company was agonizing. But it taught me three invaluable lessons that I now share with every client:

1. Your Business Is Not Your Identity: For too long, my self-worth was tied to the success of my company. Learning to separate the two was liberating. A strategic business decision is not a personal failure. It’s a smart move to protect your resources and your future.

2. Sunk Costs Are a Trap: It's easy to think, "I've already invested so much, I can't stop now." This is the sunk cost fallacy, and it destroys businesses. The real question is: "Knowing what I know now, would I make the same investment today?" If the answer is no, it's time for a change. Stepping away from Thurgo freed up capital and mental energy for my next, more profitable venture.

3. Agility Is the Ultimate Survival Skill: The market doesn't care about your five-year plan. It changes. The ability to honestly assess the situation and pivot—or even exit—is the most critical skill an entrepreneur can possess. The lessons from Thurgo directly informed the strategies that led to the successful sale of Comet Lighting just two years later.

Sometimes the best growth move isn't to push harder, but to change direction entirely. An objective, outside perspective can be the difference between being stuck on a failing path and finding a new, more promising one.

If you feel stuck or suspect your business model needs a rethink, reach out for a confidential business health check. Sometimes the hardest conversations are the ones that lead to the biggest breakthroughs.