Every entrepreneur hits a moment when things aren’t going as planned. The market shifts. Customer needs evolve. A competitor beats you to the punch. In those moments, you have two options: dig in—or pivot.
A pivot isn’t a failure. It’s a strategic shift in direction to better serve your market and grow your business. Some of the world’s biggest companies were born from pivots. Slack started as a gaming company. Twitter was a side project of a podcast platform. Netflix shifted from DVD rentals to streaming before launching its own content empire.
So how do you know when it’s time to pivot?
Look for repeated friction. If sales are stalling, users are confused, or retention is low despite your best efforts, it may not be a marketing issue—it may be a product-market fit problem. Listen to your audience. They often hold the answers you need to move forward.
A successful pivot starts with data and ends with bold action. Test your new direction before going all in. Keep your team in the loop, and be transparent with your customers. Change can be scary, but clarity builds trust.
Most importantly, stay connected to your mission. A pivot should align with your overall vision—it’s just a new path to get there.
In entrepreneurship, flexibility isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. The power of the pivot lies in your ability to adapt, survive, and ultimately thrive.