The Right Way Is the Hard Way

There’s a moment in every founder’s journey when the “easy way” presents itself.

Sometimes it’s a shortcut.
Sometimes it’s a little lie.
Sometimes it’s just a look the other way.

But here’s the truth:

Shortcuts are rarely faster — they’re just easier to justify.
And they cost more than you realize.

Doing the Right Thing Isn’t Always Profitable — At First

At Instafuel, we hit a wall early on.

Clients loved the service, but wouldn’t accept delivery fees. Competitors told us exactly how to handle it:

“Round up the gallons. If you deliver 375, charge for 400. That’s how you stay profitable.”

It was tempting.
We were tired.
And it would’ve worked.

But we weren’t willing to cross that line — because once you do, it gets easier every time after.

“Unethical money is easy to make. But real success comes from navigating challenges the right way.”
— Success, Intended

Integrity Isn’t Optional — It’s Everything

A mentor once told me:

“I never want to cause pain — even if the situation shifts and there’s an opportunity to push harder for better terms.”
— Success, Intended

That line stuck with me.
Because what you do when things shift, when it’s no longer advantageous to keep your word, is what defines your character.

“A single bad decision can undo years of hard work.”
— Success, Intended

Your Deal Breakers Define You

We made it crystal clear to our team in the field what was non-negotiable:

No lying about fuel spills
No fuel theft
No cutting corners

And most importantly:

“The moment people realize you’re willing to bend on your deal breakers is the moment you lose the ability to snap back into place.”
— Success, Intended

These weren’t just rules.
They were the foundation.

Try This 👇

Write down your top 3 non-negotiables in your line of business
Think of the last tough call you made — did you hold the line?
“Would I be okay if this decision was made public tomorrow?”

If the answer is no — don’t do it.

Next up: Why trust is the final ingredient for true success — and how to make sure your reputation speaks for itself.