THE WORST ADVICE AMELIA SORDELL EVER HEARD

@richard.harpin

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SoundTikTok sound · Reflections on a Calm Morning

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How to Make a Billion in 9 Stepsrichardharpin.com

Why it worked

The video uses a common entrepreneurial trope (bad advice) and a relatable scenario (a founder's hesitation due to competition) to deliver a counter-intuitive and motivating message. The direct question format and the presence of a known figure like Richard Harpin likely contribute to engagement.

Summary

Richard Harpin asks Amelia what the worst advice she's ever received was. Amelia states it was "if someone else has already done it, don't do it," which Richard agrees is terrible advice for founders, arguing that existing players prove an idea works.

Structure

1Introduction of Amelia and Richard
2Richard asks Amelia about the worst advice she's heard
3Amelia reveals the advice: "if someone else has already done it, don't do it."
4Richard elaborates on why this is bad advice for founders

Original caption

I asked Amelia what the worst advice she’s ever had was. Her answer: if someone else has already done it, don’t do it. The worst thing a founder can do is spot a market opportunity and run from it because someone’s already there. That’s not a reason to walk away. That’s proof the idea works. How many good businesses never happened because someone said exactly that, saw a competitor, and gave up.

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Product placement

How to Make a Billion in 9 Steps (book): ACTS - it is held up and discussed as containing advice. Removing it would change the video's context. Amelia's paperback book: ACTS - it is the subject of discussion and contains advice. Removing it would change the video's context. Richard Harpin's book: ACTS - it is held up and discussed as containing advice. Removing it would change the video's context. HomeServe Uk: APPEARS - mentioned as the creator's previous company, but not actively used or discussed. Removing it would not change the video's content. BusinessLeader Uk: APPEARS - mentioned as a company the creator owns, but not actively used or discussed. Removing it would not change the video's content.

On-screen text

THE WORST ADVICE AMELIA SORDELL EVER HEARD Hopefully Amelia there are a few bits of good advice in my paperback book

Transcript

Hopefully Amelia there are a few bits of good advice in my paperback book but what's the worst bit of advice that you've ever had the worst bit of advice I've ever had was actually something that you mentioned standing up there tonight which was if someone else has already done it don't do it I think the worst thing you can possibly do as a founder is see a market opportunity and run away from it because there's already a player in that space that is a proven example that your idea works and therefore you should absolutely be pursuing that idea here here how many times do we hear people say oh I had a great business idea then I found somebody done it so I didn't bother yeah there'd be a lot of billion dollar businesses that don't exist if everyone followed that advice exactly