What’s Actually Bad for Business?

Welcome to the very first blog inspired by the new Bad for Business Podcast by Money Rebel. I’m your host, Hayley David, and I want to kick things off with a question, what’s the dumbest idea you’ve had lately?

Keep reading this blog post because I’m sharing mine, and how it turned out to be one of the best things that’s happened in a while.

For the OG listeners, you’ve probably noticed there’s been a big change. The title of today’s episode has a double meaning, because we’re talking about what’s actually bad for business and I’m also officially introducing you to the new name of the podcast.

The Money Rebel Podcast has officially been rebranded. Welcome to The Bad for Business Podcast by Money Rebel. This is the very first episode and blog post under the new podcast name.

Why I Rebranded the Podcast to Bad for Business

You’ve probably heard people say something is bad for business. Maybe you’ve said it yourself, or heard it in movies or TV shows. People say things like: you can’t have colorful hair, tattoos, or piercings — it’s bad for business. Or, you can’t charge more than your competitors. You can’t do things differently because that’s just not how it’s done.

But none of those things are actually bad for business.

Yelling at a customer? Sure, that is obviously bad. But having fun in your marketing, even in a serious industry, isn’t. Most of the time, when people say something is bad for business, it’s just fear — fear of stepping outside the norm or breaking the rules.

So I want you to think about the things you’ve wanted to do in your business but didn’t because of that fear. Breaking the rules isn’t bad for business. Staying stuck in someone else’s version of success is.

The Backstory Behind the Name Change

A few months ago, I joined a newsletter strategy workshop by Sara at Between the Lines Copywriting because I wanted to create an email newsletter for Money Rebel. I’d been so bored with the same old business content — the six-figures-in-six-weeks type of messaging and highlight-reel posts that all look and sound the same.

I wanted to do something different.

As a business owner, it helps to look for inspiration outside your industry. One brand I’ve always loved is Liquid Death. Their founder once said that when he’s coming up with ideas, he asks, What’s the dumbest idea we could have right now?

That question stuck with me.

When I asked myself that same question, I realized that if every business coach is talking about scaling, growing, and success secrets, then the dumbest idea I could have would be to create something called Bad for Business.

And as soon as I came up with that name, I thought — yes, this is it. The people who don’t get it probably aren’t my people anyway. That’s how the Bad for Business Podcast was born.

Because being creative, different, and bold aren’t bad for business. They’re the game changer.

Inspiration from Liquid Death and “Dumb” Ideas

Liquid Death has always been a huge expander for me. Their marketing is wild and completely different from every other water brand out there. Their name, packaging, and content are totally outside the box — and it works.

Every time I drink one, someone asks if I’m drinking a beer. It doesn’t matter if it’s 9 a.m. or if I’m driving. That reaction alone shows the power of doing something unexpected.

Brands like that prove it’s possible to build massive success doing things your own way. You don’t have to follow the same path everyone else does.

One of my favorite brands, Liquid Death, inspired this rebrand. Their founder once said he asks himself, “What’s the dumbest idea we could have right now?”

That’s how they ended up creating a water brand that looks like a can of beer and calls itself Liquid Death.

And it works.

Their success proves that being boldly different isn’t actually bad — it’s the thing that makes you memorable.

Just look at their website header, it is bold, creative and totally different than what every other water company is doing.

If they can build a multi-million dollar company by going completely against the grain, then there’s room for all of us to do things our own way, too.

What You Can Expect from the Bad for Business Podcast

Moving forward, this is still a podcast for creative entrepreneurs and I will continue to talk about marketing, pricing, sales, and entrepreneurship — but with a twist. No boring “how to make $100k in four months” content. No highlight reels.

This podcast is about the messy, fun, behind-the-scenes side of business. It’s about the stories I’d share with you over a drink in Scotland, not a lecture about scaling or everything you’re doing wrong.

There’ll be guest interviews with other founders, stories from my life in Edinburgh, and new segments like the Money Rebel Hotline, where I answer your business questions live on the show.

If you were used to The Money Rebel Podcast, this is still the same show with me, Hayley, as your host — just with a new name and a refreshed direction.

Redefining What’s Bad for Business

The name Bad for Business has a double meaning for me. On the surface, naming a business podcast something that doesn’t focus on “success” could technically be bad for business. But the truth is, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my business.

And for those of you who are new here, I’m recording this from my flat in Edinburgh, Scotland. I moved here from Nashville, Tennessee in 2022, and I’ll be sharing plenty of Scotland stories and lessons I’ve learned as an American entrepreneur and toddler mom running a global business.

This show is about changing how we think about what’s “bad for business,” about success, and about the rules we’ve created for ourselves. It’s about questioning the beliefs that hold us back and seeing what’s actually possible when we let go of other people’s definitions of success.

Because being creative, different, and bold isn’t bad for business. They’re the game changer.

And if you want to grow your business by leaning into these exact things, you’re in the right place.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, Bad for Business isn’t about what you’re doing wrong in business — it’s about rewriting what’s possible for your business and your life.

You’ll walk away seeing your “dumb” ideas as the thing that sets you apart — not what holds you back.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on The Bad for Business Podcast — your new favorite podcast for creative entrepreneurs.

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P.S.

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