"Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming."

Opportunities in business are a bit like buses — if you miss one, don’t sweat it, because there's always another one just around the corner. The core idea here is that life is full of chances, and if you miss out on one, it's not the end of the world. Something else will come along soon enough. It’s about staying optimistic and not getting bogged down by missed opportunities.

Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, coined this phrase. He’s someone who’s had his fair share of ups and downs in the business world. This quote reflects his belief in the abundance of opportunities and the importance of resilience. Branson himself has ventured into a myriad of businesses — from music and airlines to space travel and healthcare. Not all of them have been successful, but his career shows that persistence pays off.

Let’s dive into a real-life example. Think about Steve Jobs. He was ousted from Apple, the company he co-founded, in 1985. It was a massive blow, but he didn’t let it cripple him. Jobs went on to create NeXT, a computer platform development company, and he also acquired and developed Pixar into a major animation studio. Eventually, Apple bought NeXT, bringing Jobs back to the company. Under his leadership, Apple launched the iMac, iPhone, and iPad, revolutionizing technology. Jobs missed the "bus" when he was fired, but he caught another one that led him back to Apple, stronger than ever.

So how can you use this wisdom in your own life? First, don’t let failure discourage you. Every time something doesn’t go as planned, it opens up a new path. Keep your eyes open and be ready to seize the next opportunity that comes your way. Be flexible and willing to pivot if a particular strategy isn’t working. Patience and resilience are key.

Imagine you’re an aspiring writer. You’ve just faced your tenth rejection from a publishing house. It’s easy to feel like giving up, right? But instead, you decide to take a different route. You start a blog and self-publish some short stories. Over time, you build a loyal readership. One day, a small publisher notices your work and offers you a book deal. That’s your next bus — it might not be the one you originally aimed for, but it’s a great opportunity nonetheless.

Or think about a friend who’s always dreamt of opening a café but couldn’t secure a loan. Instead of giving up, she starts a small catering business from her home kitchen. It takes off, and eventually, she saves enough to open that café. She waited for the right bus and got on it when it came.

Life throws a lot of curveballs. Sometimes, things don’t pan out the way we expect. But if you keep your head up and stay positive, new opportunities will present themselves. Just like buses, they keep coming. Miss one? Don’t worry. Another one will be along soon. It’s all about timing, patience, and being ready to hop on when the moment is right.

Grab a coffee with a friend and talk about your missed buses. You might just find that the next one is already in sight.