What The Goonies Taught Me About Being an Entrepreneur
Let’s be real: The Goonies is one of those movies that hits different if you watched it as a kid—and then again as an adult with bills, dreams, and a business to run.
It’s wild, chaotic, funny, and somehow full of timeless life lessons.
And if you’re an entrepreneur? It’s basically a metaphor in motion.
Because building something from scratch—whether it’s a side hustle, a creative brand, or a full-on business—feels a lotlike crawling through booby-trapped tunnels with only your instincts, your friends, and a half-baked treasure map.
Here’s what The Goonies taught me about building something that matters.
1. You Don’t Need the Whole Plan—Just a Starting Point
The Goonies didn’t wait until they had a fully-funded expedition or a five-year strategy. They found a map. They followed it.
Were they prepared? Absolutely not. Did they go anyway? 100%.
Lesson: You don’t need a perfect roadmap to begin. You need a spark. A reason. A little courage.
Entrepreneurship isn’t about knowing every step. It’s about trusting that you can figure it out as you go.
And honestly? Most of the best business ideas weren’t born with a full strategic deck. They started with a Post-it note, a conversation, a what-if moment.
I’ve launched ideas from scribbles on napkins, half-finished Google Docs, and voice memos I recorded while driving.
It’s not about being ready. It’s about being willing.
2. Use What You’ve Got (Even If It Feels Random)
Chunk had loyalty. Mikey had heart. Data had gadgets. Mouth had… well, mouth.
Each Goonie brought something to the table—and none of them had the whole package.
They didn’t wait until they “leveled up.” They used whatever tools (and quirks) they had right then.
Lesson: You don’t need to be great at everything. You just need to work with what you’ve got.
This one hits close to home. As a multi-hyphenate creator with ADHD, my brain is always trying to convince me that I need to fix this, learn that, or perfect something before moving forward.
But I’ve learned (usually the hard way) that momentum comes from using what I already have.
Whether you’re scrappy with systems, brilliant with branding, or a storyteller who can’t code—your unique mix is your power. Learn to trust it.
And if you need support in other areas? That’s what community is for.
3. It’s Supposed to Feel a Little Scary
From skeletons to collapsing caves, The Goonies never had a chill moment. But they kept going.
They didn’t wait until the fear passed. They moved forward with it.
Lesson: The fear you feel when you launch, post, pitch, or pivot? It’s not a sign to stop—it’s proof you’re doing something brave.
Every big leap in my business journey—from quitting my 9-to-5 to launching my first offer to building a course—was accompanied by nerves, imposter syndrome, and a strong desire to hide under a weighted blanket.
But I did it scared. And that made all the difference.
Fear doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. It means you’re stretching.
4. You’ll Hit Dead Ends (But Sometimes There’s a Hidden Door)
Remember that piano scene? The one where they had to play the right notes to open the floor?
That’s entrepreneurship in a nutshell.
You’ll try things that don’t work. You’ll launch an offer that doesn’t sell. You’ll pour energy into something that fizzles.
But if you keep experimenting, listening, tweaking—you’ll eventually hit the right chord.
Lesson: Keep going. Keep testing. There’s almost always a way forward—even if you have to build it yourself.
Sometimes, the only way out is through. Or sideways. Or via a trapdoor you didn’t know existed until you tried the third lever.
5. You Need Your People
None of the Goonies could’ve done it alone. They stumbled, fought, forgave, and carried each other through the mess.
Sound familiar?
Because building a business can feel wildly lonely—but it doesn’t have to be.
Lesson: Find your people.
Whether it’s a creative collaborator, a client who becomes a cheerleader, or a group chat that reminds you to keep showing up—your community matters.
Entrepreneurship isn’t a solo sport. It’s a team adventure. And sometimes the best thing you can do for your business is find people who speak your language.
6. The Treasure Isn’t What You Think
The Goonies spent the whole movie chasing One-Eyed Willy’s treasure.
But what they really found?
- Courage
- Connection
- Growth
- A story they’d remember forever
Lesson: The real win of entrepreneurship isn’t just the revenue. It’s the impact. The transformation. The confidence you gain. The people you meet.
Yes, we build businesses to make money. But when you build something you believe in—the treasure is way more layered than what you see in the bank account.
Entrepreneurs Are Just Goonies in Grown-Up Clothes
We’re all out here with half a map, a dream that feels a little too big, and a belief that there’s something amazing waiting if we just keep going.
The world might call it naïve. But we call it vision.
So here’s to the ones who:
- Start with nothing but a messy idea
- Learn on the go
- Get knocked down and reroute
- Lean on their people
- And keep going—even when it’s hard
Goonies never say die. And neither do entrepreneurs.
Keep climbing.
Keep building.
Keep believing in the kind of magic you can’t always explain—but somehow know is real.
What movie moment shaped your view of business or bravery?
Drop it in the comments—I’d love to know what’s inspired your entrepreneurial journey.
