I lost a million-pound deal because of alcohol.
I've never had a drink before. Not at my wedding, not at my birthday. Not even in this photo. I was only posing with the drink to look cool.
But when I was building my previous business, Fluid, I was put in a difficult situation.
I was trying to close an extremely important deal for us. It was worth over a MILLION pounds, and everything was going right.
Until the founder pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniel's. He said he wanted to toast to the partnership.
In my mind, I was hesitant. I'd always told myself I would never drink… but… this was £1,000,000.
I still said no.
The founder was offended, and the deal fell through. I walked out with nothing.
For months, I wondered if I'd made a mistake. A million pounds gone, all because of one glass of whisky. I could've even pretended to sip.
But here's the real reason I said no...
It's not that I'm incredibly healthy. Or incredibly disciplined. It's actually the opposite.
I have an addictive personality. Always have. When I get into something, I can't stop. I get obsessive. It's why I've been able to build businesses.
But with alcohol, that same trait would've destroyed me.
So when I was young, I made a decision. I just wouldn't start. I'd never miss it, I'd never crave it. It would never even be an option in my mind.
One year after that Jack Daniels meeting, I sat across from a billionaire. Talks were going well. Until again, he offered me a drink.
Despite knowing what happened last time, I still refused. But this time, the client didn't get offended. He respected it.
We closed that deal, and it changed my life. It also taught me a valuable lesson.
The wrong people will punish you for having principles. But the right people choose you because of them.
Sticking to your morals and boundaries will never backfire in the long run.
Never let a deal make you forget it.