My Business Failures - What now?

[dibutt5]

Hi guys. I’ll try to keep this short. I’m 24 from low income immigrant background in UK. I went to uni and just about graduated in Law with a third class in 2023. After that I hopped straight into making money online. Keep in mind, my personal life is seriously hectic, which may have influenced some decisions. This is how it went:

Highticket dropshipping: I was eager to start this as my mum was the one who got the course and wasn’t taking it seriously. I wanted to make it out of the slums. I started selling high ticket bathroom products. I generated about £5k total revenue over the span of 6-7 months. My best/only selling product was a hot tub. I shut it down because I wasn’t used to the secrecy in the industry (niches) and I felt like I was too dependent on multiple factors (customers, suppliers, too many things can go wrong). I shut down the store and right after my main supplier decided to stop selling hot tubs. Half or 60% of my paycheck was going into ads and I couldn’t reduce my living expenses small enough. It was unsustainable for me. This is at the start of 2024

SMMA: I realised I can at least try to leverage what I learned in HTD and move to SMMA to help other businesses with their ads. I like interacting with other people but HTD felt like a lone island. I spent about 8 months in this industry. I started working for free for a while. I worked in the property industry mainly and generated a few good campaigns. For the first 5-6 months I only earned about £500. Towards the end of my journey I secured 2 paying clients (£600+£700) clients in the aesthetics niche. They paid me and I delivered results, however, they churned very quickly as they wanted fast and big results and didn’t see working long term with me as viable. At this time, I was living on my own in a room and had been fired from my job. I need to keep moving. This is at the end of 2024.

OFM: this is where it gets crazy. I started from 0 and recruited 3 of the worst models ever. March hit and I got finessed by one of my models. I was abroad at the time with a friend I met in the industry. I recruited a model and started working hard. She had 2/10 work ethic and was always late paying so I built around it. I tasted the high life. Travelling and doing things with my friends in the industry. By the time October 2025 came, I had reached a 16k revenue month (30% margins). Suddenly, her account shut down because of something she did 3 years prior. I was vexed and in Bangkok. I didn’t see her working long term due to her tendencies so I shifted her to a different agency. Now I’m trying to do some agency dependent strategies (high upfront cost) with salary models but it failed even after I got mentorship due to high costs. I wasted a LOT of money doing this. So now I’m practically broke and doing uber eats to recover. I’m also currently helping a friend build a Reddit team but my confidence is low right now.

Side note: I’ve taken an interest in CPA stuff (sweepstakes, gambling offers etc.) but not sure about it yet.

What now? I’m not sure. I’m feeling kinda lost. What do you guys think is next? What’s my problems?

 

[Kingen Agency Network]

In my opinion, you should look for an hourly job to ensure financial stability for now. Once things are stable, you can think more seriously about other ways to make money.

 

[dibutt5]

In my opinion, you should look for an hourly job to ensure financial stability for now. Once things are stable, you can think more seriously about other ways to make money.

Yeah I’m doing uber eats right now so I can pick my hours at least. Thanks

 

[Fiducia]

I went to uni and just about graduated in Law with a third class in 2023.

2023? Have you graduated in law or not? There are plenty of well paid job opportunities in this area.

 

[mobythereal]

That’s a tough spot. My advice would be to focus on learning skills, not chasing specific industries for now. Invest some of your time into fundamentals like basic web development, video editing, graphic design, or sales just 101 stuff don't dive deep. These are transferable skills that can set you apart no matter which business you choose down the line, so it’s a win win.

As for what to do next, I’d leverage your marketing background and start a couple of SaaS projects. Look for real pain points and customer struggles on places like Reddit, then build your SaaS directly around solving those problems. think smaller, niche, and low competition.

Whatever you decide to go with, it will not be easy. And getting your life in place would help a lot, so things like your routine and habits also may affect your work life

 

[dibutt5]

2023? Have you graduated in law or not? There are plenty of well paid job opportunities in this area.

I graduated in Law but I didn’t get a good grade. I didn’t want to take on law as a career path anymore. I did Law for my parents. I wanted freedom and a huge ceiling. Law wasn’t gonna get me there.

That’s a tough spot. My advice would be to focus on learning skills, not chasing specific industries for now. Invest some of your time into fundamentals like basic web development, video editing, graphic design, or sales just 101 stuff don't dive deep. These are transferable skills that can set you apart no matter which business you choose down the line, so it’s a win win.

As for what to do next, I’d leverage your marketing background and start a couple of SaaS projects. Look for real pain points and customer struggles on places like Reddit, then build your SaaS directly around solving those problems. think smaller, niche, and low competition.

Whatever you decide to go with, it will not be easy. And getting your life in place would help a lot, so things like your routine and habits also may affect your work life

Thanks man. Appreciate your answer. Just trying to get some stability now after a rollercoaster journey. Not a bad idea at all. Thanks again.

 

[Fiducia]

I graduated in Law but I didn’t get a good grade. I didn’t want to take on law as a career path anymore. I did Law for my parents. I wanted freedom and a huge ceiling. Law wasn’t gonna get me there.

Thanks for the explanation.

It appears that dropshipping, SMMA, OFM and Uber Eats are not proving that freedom and huge ceiling desired. I'd return to my previous career path, make money and use the time to reflect what I really want.

 

[dibutt5]

Thanks for the explanation.

It appears that dropshipping, SMMA, OFM and Uber Eats are not proving that freedom and huge ceiling desired. I'd return to my previous career path, make money and use the time to reflect what I really want.

Good answer man. Thanks. I felt I got a serious taste from OFM. But it crashed heavy. Now I’m kinda just trying to reevaluate. I got fired from a dead end job in 2024. I’ve never had a “career” per se. But I’ve always been a hustler. Not much of a successful one but I’ve always found ways to survive. Last year felt like the first time my trajectory was up. So I think it genuinely skewed my thinking. I don’t think I can ever settle for mundane. It’s a strange fallacy.

 

[Elon Snup]

The pattern I see here: too many pivots, not enough depth. Each method you tried has people making money - but they stuck with it longer than a few weeks.

With a law degree, even a third class, you have leverage most people here don't. Have you considered:
- Contract drafting for small businesses (especially online businesses - privacy policies, ToS, affiliate agreements)
- Legal templates on Gumroad/Etsy
- Paralegal remote work while building something on the side

The Uber Eats grind is fine for short-term cash but it's not building anything. Pick ONE thing that compounds and give it 6 months minimum. The shiny object syndrome is what kills most people here.

 

[dibutt5]

Thanks for the answer man. Appreciate it. I do wanna make it clear I was in these businesses for months on end. At least 7 months per. I’ve been in OFM for over a year now.

But the legal work isn’t a bad idea. However, I just have been scarred from Uni. Law wasn’t a big interest for me at all. I honestly thought if I’m gonna do this uni shit it might as well be something good. But it was incredibly excruciating. I since then I thought if I’m gonna go through this type of pain the upside must be better than this career path.

I’m more looking at what I should currently do with my skills. I don’t mind giving OFM another push but maybe someone else can see what I can do with my current experience yk. Again, thank you for your comment. Really appreciate it.

 

[theusualkeysersoze]

Mate. If graduated for attorney, just do that job, wtf do you wanna do promoting ig and dropshipping when you can be a lawyer in the UK.

First that then build your other businesses on the side.

 

[dibutt5]

Mate. If graduated for attorney, just do that job, wtf do you wanna do promoting ig and dropshipping when you can be a lawyer in the UK.

First that then build your other businesses on the side.

Hey man. Thanks for the reply. Good question. I guess it was the fact that no one in my cohort at Uni had the same aspirations as me. I want serious big money. Those people just wanted to be lawyers, solicitors and nothing else. They looked at luxury lifestyles as “must be nice”. I genuinely didnt get it. I think that’s where it all began. So I decided not to take that path (obviously on top of the fact I just wasn’t that interested in Law).

I had to think to myself, I’m gonna be competing and rubbing shoulders against people who will do whatever it takes to get their foot in the door. Meanwhile I’m half-heartedly gonna do something I don’t even like that. It was a fork in the road. Again maybe my thinking is seriously skewed due to life experiences but I just don’t think that’s the life for me. Well maybe not at the moment.

 

[theusualkeysersoze]

Hey man. Thanks for the reply. Good question. I guess it was the fact that no one in my cohort at Uni had the same aspirations as me. I want serious big money. Those people just wanted to be lawyers, solicitors and nothing else. They looked at luxury lifestyles as “must be nice”. I genuinely didnt get it. I think that’s where it all began. So I decided not to take that path (obviously on top of the fact I just wasn’t that interested in Law).

I had to think to myself, I’m gonna be competing and rubbing shoulders against people who will do whatever it takes to get their foot in the door. Meanwhile I’m half-heartedly gonna do something I don’t even like that. It was a fork in the road. Again maybe my thinking is seriously skewed due to life experiences but I just don’t think that’s the life for me. Well maybe not at the moment.

If you think the marketing world is cosier, you're mistaken.

Do the job, put real money aside and use that to build your business, you'll need it.

Also who gives any care about what other lawyers want, if they want their Porsche and their recreational drugs, let them, you're not competing with that, if someone wants to buy an alligator as pet or jump from windows, doesn't mean you have to do the same. Never interrupt competitors when they're doing dumb things.

You also said you're motivated by huge money, more than lawyers make, managing 3 OF lasses will not get you there, the real rich ones are the people who made OF

 

[dibutt5]

You’re still very early, and this looks more like experience than failure. You tried multiple models and learned skills most people don’t have. The main issue seems like jumping between industries and relying on risky, unstable setups. It might help to focus on one skill that gives steady income first, rebuild savings, and then scale another business later.

Hey bro, thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

Yes it’s true. I have a weird tendency to be attracted to blackhat and greyhat things and schemes (Ironic right?) so I found myself in the OFM space. It wasn’t even on purpose, I thought it was just a different niche in the SMMA umbrella.

I thought about going back to lead gen campaigns with CPA and get my hands a bit dirty as I’ve ran multiple lead gen campaigns for clients in the past and have generated results. But I’m slightly burnt out and just looking for some guidance. Thanks again man

If you think the marketing world is cosier, you're mistaken.

Do the job, put real money aside and use that to build your business, you'll need it.

Also who gives any care about what other lawyers want, if they want their Porsche and their recreational drugs, let them, you're not competing with that, if someone wants to buy an alligator as pet or jump from windows, doesn't mean you have to do the same. Never interrupt competitors when they're doing dumb things.

You also said you're motivated by huge money, more than lawyers make, managing 3 OF lasses will not get you there, the real rich ones are the people who made OF

Thanks again for the reply man. I like the way you think.

To be honest, it won’t be simply to get a job as a lawyer, or even a paralegal in the UK currently. But I’m not afraid to get some work done which is why I’m doing uber eats for the time being to recover my losses.

But yes it might not get me there but I’m trying to figure out self made online cashflow. It’s all I need. I’ve been in the online business world long enough to experience its upside even if it’s briefly. So I can’t help but thinking going into an office is just gonna waste my effort. I know it may sound stupid but I seriously can’t help it. I do honestly understand what you’re saying though. I appreciate it.

 

[theusualkeysersoze]

What's your specialisation in law

 

[AdVantage Agency 96]

Have you graduated in law yet?
If you have, then you absolutely have many opportunities in the legal field, Be confident and start again.
If you haven't graduated yet, you can look into foreign exchange trading. But please consider it carefully - you need to researcg and learn thoroughly before entering the market,
Don't FOMO, don't gamble, Wishing you success. Man

 

[dibutt5]

What's your specialisation in law

I didn’t specialise in anything. Straight Law LLB

 

[dibutt5]

Have you graduated in law yet?
If you have, then you absolutely have many opportunities in the legal field, Be confident and start again.
If you haven't graduated yet, you can look into foreign exchange trading. But please consider it carefully - you need to researcg and learn thoroughly before entering the market,
Don't FOMO, don't gamble, Wishing you success. Man

Hey man thanks for the reply. I have graduated. Although barely.

Yes I have a lot of friends that trade too. So I could look into that

 

[SirTop]

Respect to everyone asking OP to go back into law, but...

If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far from this thread, it’s that OP clearly doesn’t want to do law which I think is completely fine.
There are so many people who finished uni even with high grades and still never ended up working in the field they studied

I actually have a similar experience. I studied Engineering and finished with good grades but even before I graduated, I already knew that it wasn’t something I wanted to pursue long term, even though it would have made my father really happy : D

I ended up following more of my brother’s path instead. He was a big mentor to me and pushed me to get into entrepreneurship early.
As long as you have the hustling spirit, you usually find a way to make things work

If I could offer a different kind of advice, it would be this...
You’ve already gained a lot of experience and I’d suggest seeing those as lessons rather than failures.

Keep doing what you need to do for now to stay afloat but start working toward what you actually want, just be more strategic this time around and use the experience you already have

Also, try to pivot less. Most people who succeed at anything stick with one thing long enough for it to work out

Whether it’s law or online business there’s no guarantee either will work.
So you might as well go all in on something you know you’ll have the drive to keep pushing through, whether it fails or succeeds.

Cheers mate <3

 

[dibutt5]

Respect to everyone asking OP to go back into law, but...

If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far from this thread, it’s that OP clearly doesn’t want to do law which I think is completely fine.
There are so many people who finished uni even with high grades and still never ended up working in the field they studied

I actually have a similar experience. I studied Engineering and finished with good grades but even before I graduated, I already knew that it wasn’t something I wanted to pursue long term, even though it would have made my father really happy : D

I ended up following more of my brother’s path instead. He was a big mentor to me and pushed me to get into entrepreneurship early.
As long as you have the hustling spirit, you usually find a way to make things work

If I could offer a different kind of advice, it would be this...
You’ve already gained a lot of experience and I’d suggest seeing those as lessons rather than failures.

Keep doing what you need to do for now to stay afloat but start working toward what you actually want, just be more strategic this time around and use the experience you already have

Also, try to pivot less. Most people who succeed at anything stick with one thing long enough for it to work out

Whether it’s law or online business there’s no guarantee either will work.
So you might as well go all in on something you know you’ll have the drive to keep pushing through, whether it fails or succeeds.

Hey man. Really appreciate the time you took to write this.

Yeah. You voiced it quite correctly. The degree was more of a test of my capabilities rather than a career stamp. I’ve always been attracted to risk and reward. As that’s basically everything in life right? So why not risk for the best reward?

I’m sure your father was incredibly proud but more so, at peace with the fact that you have a fighting chance he didn’t get in the world perhaps. Which is what I kept in mind. I had to at least finish what I started.

I am currently just working towards having freedom, starting with location freedom and move onto the other stuff as time goes on. I know I’m probably seen as young in the grand scheme of life but man I feel fcking OLD. All these experiences.

I’m gonna try to pivot less of course. I’m gonna continue with where I’m at but I can’t help but question longevity and etc. I guess I’m just at that age. Hahaha.

Thanks again man. You have any suggestions for just direction in general? Thank you