Is Business Success Just Luck or Can You Create Your Own?
April 02, 2025

Is Business Success Just Luck or Can You Create Your Own?

Is Business Success Just Luck or Can You Create Your Own?

Some entrepreneurs seem to always be in the right place at the right time. They land major deals, attract top talent, and scale their businesses with ease. From the outside, it looks like sheer luck. But when you take a closer look, the real story emerges—one where luck is only part of the equation.

The truth is, the most successful business owners don’t just wait for luck to strike. They engineer their own opportunities through strategy, preparation, and decisive action.

So, is business success really about being lucky? Or can you actively create your own fortunate circumstances?

The Truth About “Lucky Breaks” in Business

What most people call luck is often a mix of preparation and timing. Consider these scenarios:

  • A company secures a game-changing client just as they’re looking for new partnerships.
  • A manufacturer upgrades equipment at the perfect time to handle a demand spike.
  • A coach lands a high-profile speaking gig that skyrockets their brand recognition.

At first glance, these seem like random strokes of luck. But in reality, each success was made possible by strategic moves made beforehand.

This pattern is consistent across industries. Those who seem “lucky” are often the ones who prepared in advance, positioned themselves for success, and were ready to act when the opportunity appeared.

How to Put Yourself in the Path of Opportunity

While you can’t predict every chance encounter or unexpected breakthrough, you can increase the likelihood of success. The key is positioning yourself strategically so that when luck knocks, you’re ready to answer the door.

  1. Build Authority Before You Need It

Opportunities don’t always come to the most talented or skilled person—they go to those who are perceived as experts.

If you want to be the first name people think of when they need a solution, you have to establish your credibility long before an opportunity presents itself. This means:

  • Consistently sharing valuable insights through content, speaking engagements, and social media.
  • Positioning yourself as a thought leader in your industry.
  • Building trust and visibility so that people recognize your expertise before they even need it.

When you’ve built authority, people seek you out. You don’t have to chase opportunities—they come to you.

  1. Be Ready to Act Fast

In business, timing is everything. A delayed response can mean a missed opportunity.

The best entrepreneurs and companies don’t wait until they need something to start preparing. Whether it’s investing in better equipment, hiring the right people, or refining your business processes, the time to act is before an opportunity presents itself.

Think about this:

  • If a major client reaches out, do you have the systems in place to handle their business?
  • If a growth opportunity arises, do you have the capacity to scale?
  • If a market shift happens, are you positioned to take advantage of it?

Most businesses miss out on “lucky breaks” not because they never had the opportunity, but because they weren’t ready to capitalize on it.

  1. Make Connections That Open Doors

Many of the biggest business opportunities come from relationships. A chance introduction, a shared post, or a referral from a trusted source can change everything.

But these connections don’t happen by accident. Successful entrepreneurs intentionally build and nurture relationships with people who can help them grow.

  • They network strategically, not just socially.
  • They contribute value before expecting anything in return.
  • They position themselves in rooms where opportunities are created.

As the saying goes, “Your network is your net worth.” The more meaningful connections you make, the more likely you are to find yourself in the right place at the right time.

Real-World Example: Luck or Strategy?

Let’s take a look at a real-world case study that shows how luck and strategy work together.

A client of ours recently landed a massive new contract that had the potential to double their revenue. But there was a serious problem:

🚨 Their production line wasn’t equipped to handle the increased demand.

Had they waited until the last minute to upgrade their equipment, they would have lost the deal. But they didn’t.

Instead, they had already been exploring solutions before the opportunity even arose. They had:

✅ Researched equipment upgrades months in advance.
✅ Built relationships with trusted vendors (including us).
✅ Aligned their business for growth so they could scale quickly.

So when the opportunity came, they were ready. They placed the order, we expedited the installation, and within weeks, they were operating at full capacity, meeting their new contract’s demands, and significantly increasing their bottom line.

Was that luck? Or was it smart business planning?

How You Can Start Creating Your Own Luck

So how can you apply these lessons in your own business? Here’s what you can do starting today:

  1. Identify Areas Where You Need to Prepare

Look at your business and ask:

  • If a major opportunity landed in my inbox tomorrow, am I ready?
  • What’s one thing I keep putting off that I know will help me grow?
  • Do I have the right systems, team, and resources in place to scale?
  1. Take One Proactive Step Toward Future Success

Whether it’s upgrading your technology, refining your offer, or making a key hire, take action now instead of waiting for a crisis.

  1. Build Relationships That Can Lead to Game-Changing Opportunities

Reach out, engage, and position yourself in places where opportunities happen. Don’t wait until you need something to start networking—start adding value today.

The Bottom Line: Make Your Own Luck

The most successful entrepreneurs and business owners don’t rely on luck. They create conditions where luck is more likely to happen. They prepare, position themselves strategically, and act decisively when opportunities arise.

So ask yourself: Are you waiting for luck, or are you putting yourself in the best possible position for success?

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Jennifer Dawn

Author

Jennifer Dawn has grown two multimillion dollar businesses and now mentors others to do the same. She is one of the select few nationwide Profit First and Provendus Growth Academy Certified coaches…

More about me

My Recent Articles

Is Business Success Just Luck or Can You Create Your Own? How Can Business Leaders Achieve Work-Life Balance? How Does Your Mindset Shape Your Luck? The Psychology Behind Success & Outcomes The Mindset of Taking Control vs. Waiting for Good Fortune Creating Your Own Luck: How to Stop Waiting and Start Seizing Opportunities

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