I’m back at our summer home in Greece.
One of the nearby beaches has a long strip of sand with 3 different beach clubs sitting on it.
Same ocean. Same sand. Same weather. Different outcomes.
The first one has been our default choice since it opened nearly 20 years ago.
The middle one we visited for the first time
And the left one is the most popular and expensive of the three.
Now in one week here is what we experienced.
The left one had excellent comfort and service. Even though we technically took up 2 sun umbrellas they only charged one because as they said “We’re not going to charge you an entire sunbed with the 2 cute little ones..”
The middle one we visited the first time. It wasn’t as high end as the left one but it had comfortable chairs and excellent food. It’s service though was a bit slow although mostly friendly.
The one on the right.. the one we’ve gone to for few decades every day.. our default option (but no more) is the point of today’s article.
The founder’s son took over a few years ago. I remember — he asked me to help him sell it.
Wanted top dollar. I told him it wasn’t ready. He didn’t want to hear it.
So now?
No upgrades in years. Sunbeds are cracked and stained. The vibe is tired. Staff are indifferent. Guests don’t come back. The place is hollowing out.
He’s stopped investing. Stopped caring. He’s waiting to be rescued by a buyer who’ll never come.
The tragedy?
He had a head start. He owned the prime spot. But instead of building something durable, he coasted. He waited. And now he’s watching the tide roll out ….
That’s how good businesses die — not in a crash, but in a slow, bitter decline.
A war of attrition against time and one’s own frustration…
which will end one day with a fire sale of his premium beachfront property.
Decades of sacrifice to end up with a souvenir pine cone…
And a garage full of worn-out broken sunbeds.
If you’re still in the building phase, good. You’ve got time. Use it wisely.
And if you’ve been running your business for years but still can’t leave for a summer without stress or chaos…
Then take the hint.
Start here: 60-Second Exit Readiness Survey
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P.S. I’m not the “systems guy,” “process guy,” or “finance guy.”
I’m the “build a valuable business” guy—so you can regain the freedom to start living your best life now and exit on your own terms later.
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