By Maria Eduarda X. Soares and Heloísa Nogueira
Stories like those of Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon carry three irresistible elements in the public imagination: the visionary founder, the makeshift garage, and a willpower—almost heroic in nature—sufficient to transform an idea into an absolute empire. After all, who doesn't like to believe that an “innovative idea” combined with willpower is enough to change the world?
However, the truth is more complex. These inspiring narratives, while seductive, omit the crucial detail that none of these businesses reached the top solely through grit and a good idea; rather, they relied on strategy, structure, and a network of highly skilled professionals—and even partners.
This is not a pessimistic or “disheartening” view, but the stark reality. A good idea can undoubtedly be born in a makeshift setting. Yet, its survival depends on competent management, well-defined objectives, compliance, and organization. Even in the early stages, you can be certain that these empires already had access to specialized legal, accounting, administrative, technical, and—above all—strategic support. In other words: the “garage” may have been the symbol of their origin, but never of their long-term existence.
Apple, for instance, benefited early on from financial backing and guidance from investors like Mike Markkula, who helped transform Jobs and Wozniak’s project into a company with clear goals. Even before becoming a giant, Microsoft already had well-drafted contracts and solid commercial strategies for licensing its software. Google, born on the Stanford campus, received specialized legal and accounting support from the very beginning to handle investments and intellectual property.
These same examples that captivate young entrepreneurs demonstrate that, even in their embryonic stage, high-potential businesses require structure and compliance alongside creativity.
In Brazil, on the other hand, the reality is even more challenging. According to data from the 2022 Business Demography and Entrepreneurship Statistics survey released by the IBGE, 60% of companies founded in the country did not survive beyond five years; according to SEBRAE, the main reasons include a lack of planning, poor financial management, and legal issues.
Planning means, among other things: having a legal team to ensure corporate compliance, handle contracts and trademark registrations, and provide protection against legal risks; efficient accountants to keep tax obligations up to date, manage cash flow, and identify tax-saving opportunities; and investing in management consulting to structure processes, optimize resources, and strategize decision-making.
Faced with this alarming landscape, we must recognize that planning and the presence of multidisciplinary teams should not be viewed as a "luxury," but rather as an indispensable requirement for any business aspiring to scale. In other words, a founder and a brilliant idea are not enough; a prepared team is needed to support that genius.
Dreaming big is essential, but it is only the starting point. Between the initial idea and established success lies a long road involving structuring, planning, and professional guidance. Companies that understand this do not rely on luck: they build their own future.
MARTINI, P. Six out of 10 companies in Brazil do not survive past the 5-year mark, says IBGE. Available at: <https://valor.globo.com/brasil/noticia/2024/12/05/seis-a-cada-10-empresas-nao-sobrevivem-apos-5-anos-no-brasil-diz-ibge.ghtml>. Accessed on: Aug. 14, 2025.
Business survival rate in Brazil – Sebrae. Available at: . Accessed on: Aug. 14, 2025.
