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:
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.
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:
When you’ve built authority, people seek you out. You don’t have to chase opportunities—they come to you.
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:
Most businesses miss out on “lucky breaks” not because they never had the opportunity, but because they weren’t ready to capitalize on it.
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.
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:
Look at your business and ask:
Whether it’s upgrading your technology, refining your offer, or making a key hire, take action now instead of waiting for a crisis.
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?
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…
Business Coaching
Accountability Coaching
Profit First & Cash Flow Coaching
Health Coaching
Real strategies for scaling smarter, boosting profits, and building a business that fuels your freedom—straight to your inbox.