Insights from Laura Varela Fallas on What Street Vendors, Gamers, and Athletes Can Teach Us About Success

Business Lessons Are Everywhere

Success in business isn’t always found in spreadsheets, board meetings, or even in an MBA program. Sometimes, the best lessons come from the streets, from the world of competitive gaming, or from the discipline of professional athletes.

I’ve always believed that entrepreneurship is about adaptability, resilience, and strategic thinking—qualities that extend far beyond traditional business education. Whether it's a street vendor adjusting to customer demand, a gamer making split-second tactical decisions, or an athlete training with unwavering discipline, each of these seemingly unrelated fields holds valuable insights for business owners and leaders alike.

From my own experiences leading The Varela Group and working with businesses like iCubica CR, I’ve seen firsthand how unconventional wisdom can shape leadership and drive business success. In this article, I’ll break down some of the most powerful business lessons I’ve learned from unexpected sources—and how they’ve shaped my approach to leadership, strategy, and resilience.

Let’s dive in.

Lesson #1: The Hustler’s Mindset – What Street Vendors Teach Us About Agility

If you’ve ever walked through a bustling street market—whether in San José, Bangkok, or New York—you’ve witnessed some of the most instinctive entrepreneurs in action. Street vendors are the ultimate business survivalists, adapting to fluctuating demand, unexpected supply chain issues, and rapidly shifting customer preferences—all in real time.

What makes them stand out? Agility.

Unlike large corporations that rely on complex forecasting and long-term strategies, street vendors make fast, data-driven decisions on the spot. They test pricing in real-time, adjust products based on demand, and pivot instantly if something isn’t selling. They are living case studies of resilience, resourcefulness, and adaptability—three qualities every entrepreneur needs to master.

Applying This to Business: Lessons from Laura Varela Fallas

I’ve always admired the street vendor mindset, and I’ve seen its value firsthand while running The Varela Group. Early in my career, I learned that flexibility and adaptability often outweigh rigid business planning.

For example, when launching a new business venture, many entrepreneurs spend months perfecting their product or service before releasing it. But if there’s one thing street vendors have mastered, it’s that the perfect moment doesn’t exist—you must test, adapt, and iterate in real time.

I remember when we first introduced a digital platform at iCubica CR. We had the perfect plan on paper, but once we launched, real-world feedback demanded changes we hadn’t anticipated. Instead of sticking to our original roadmap, we adopted a street vendor approach—listening to the market, tweaking the product as needed, and adjusting our messaging based on customer response.

In business, agility isn’t just an advantage—it’s survival.

💡 Key Takeaways from Street Vendors:

• Test early and often – Don’t wait for perfection. Launch, gather feedback, and refine.

• Adapt to demand in real time – Markets change quickly; flexibility wins.

• Build personal connections with customers – Trust and loyalty often outweigh aggressive sales tactics.

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As entrepreneurs, we should be just as nimble as a vendor changing prices based on foot traffic or weather conditions. It’s about staying alert, making smart adjustments, and never getting too comfortable.

Lesson #2: Strategic Thinking – How Professional Gamers Approach Problem-Solving

At first glance, business and video games may seem like entirely different worlds. But if you look closer, professional gamers operate with the same level of strategic thinking, risk assessment, and adaptability that great entrepreneurs need to succeed.

In games like chess, StarCraft, or even eSports titles like League of Legends, players make split-second decisions that can determine their success or failure. The best gamers don’t just react—they anticipate. They calculate risks, predict their opponents’ moves, and execute strategies with precision.

This ability to analyze, adapt, and execute under pressure is one of the most underrated skills in business.

Applying This to Business: Lessons from Laura Varela Fallas

Running a business often feels like playing a high-stakes strategy game. You have competitors making moves, an ever-changing environment, and the challenge of thinking several steps ahead. I’ve always been drawn to strategic problem-solving, and I’ve found that some of the best business insights come from industries people rarely consider.

"Entrepreneurship is a game of strategy, not just effort. It’s not about who works the hardest—it’s about who makes the smartest moves." – Laura Varela Fallas

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in The Varela Group is that reaction-based leadership leads to burnout, but strategy-driven leadership builds lasting success. Early on, I used to respond to challenges as they came, putting out fires and trying to keep everything afloat. But I realized that true leadership isn’t just about responding—it’s about anticipating.

A great example comes from iCubica CR, where we had to make a major pivot in our service strategy. Instead of reacting to market shifts at the last minute, we took a gaming-style approach:

1. Identified patterns in user behavior before they became problems.

2. Predicted future obstacles based on industry trends.

3. Tested different approaches, just like a gamer adapting to an opponent’s strategy.

   
   

💡 Key Takeaways from Professional Gamers:

• Think two steps ahead – Don’t just react; anticipate and prepare.

• Understand risk vs. reward – Every move has a consequence, so choose wisely.

• Test different strategies before committing – Like gamers experimenting with tactics, businesses should A/B test and iterate before scaling big decisions.

"The most successful entrepreneurs aren’t the ones who play the game the longest. They’re the ones who play it the smartest." – Laura Varela Fallas

Strategic thinking isn’t just for gamers—it’s for anyone who wants to build a sustainable, forward-thinking business.

Lesson #3: The Athlete’s Resilience – The Power of Mental and Physical Stamina in Business

Ask any world-class athlete what sets them apart from the competition, and they won’t just talk about talent. They’ll talk about discipline, resilience, and the ability to push through adversity.

Success in sports—and in business—isn’t just about skill. It’s about showing up day after day, even when it’s hard, even when you’re tired, even when success feels out of reach.

I’ve always admired the way athletes condition not just their bodies, but also their minds. The most successful ones don’t just train for competition—they train for endurance. They understand that setbacks are part of the journey and that consistency is the key to long-term success.

Applying This to Business: Lessons from Laura Varela Fallas

I’ve had my fair share of moments where resilience was the only thing that kept me moving forward. Being a CEO isn’t about getting everything right all the time—it’s about pushing through the moments when things go wrong.

"You don’t build a business by avoiding failure. You build it by learning how to keep going after you fail." – Laura Varela Fallas

In the early days of The Varela Group, I faced challenges that would have made many entrepreneurs quit—unexpected financial setbacks, hiring the wrong people, and projects that didn’t take off as planned. But I always reminded myself of something I once heard an Olympic athlete say:

"When you’re exhausted and ready to quit, you’ve still got 40% left in the tank."

That mindset has stuck with me. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about having the stamina to keep moving forward, even when progress feels slow.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve taken from sports is the power of routine. Athletes don’t just train when they feel like it—they have structured habits that keep them sharp, even on off days. I apply the same principle to business:

• Start each day with intention. Whether it’s reviewing priorities or blocking time for deep work, structure creates consistency.

• Build mental endurance. Just like an athlete trains their body, entrepreneurs must train their mind to handle pressure, uncertainty, and long-term challenges.

• Recover strategically. Overtraining leads to injury, and overworking leads to burnout. Rest and reset periods are just as important as effort.

  
  

💡 Key Takeaways from Athletes:

• Discipline is more valuable than motivation. You won’t always feel motivated, but showing up daily builds long-term success.

• Mental stamina is everything. Train your mind to embrace challenges instead of fearing them.

• Balance effort with recovery. Burnout kills progress; sustainable growth requires strategic breaks.

"Business is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself, stay consistent, and never let a bad day define your future." – Laura Varela Fallas

Lesson #4: The Power of Community – Lessons from Underground Business Networks

When people think of business success, they often picture a lone CEO making big decisions in a high-rise office. But the truth is, no one succeeds alone. Some of the most effective entrepreneurs—whether they’re running billion-dollar companies or small local businesses—understand the power of community.

Look at street artists, independent musicians, or underground business networks in cities around the world. They may not have corporate funding, but they thrive because of trust, collaboration, and the relationships they build with their communities.

These entrepreneurs don’t just sell products; they create ecosystems of support, where word-of-mouth is currency and loyalty is built through real human connections.

Applying This to Business: Lessons from Laura Varela Fallas

If I’ve learned anything from my journey as an entrepreneur, it’s this: Success isn’t just about what you know or even who you know—it’s about who trusts you.

"In business, just like in life, relationships are your biggest currency." – Laura Varela Fallas

When I was growing The Varela Group, I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I leaned into mentorship, networking, and strategic partnerships that helped me access new markets and opportunities. I’ve also made it a priority to support other women in business, because I know how valuable it is to have a community that believes in you.

One of the best examples of this came when I was expanding into new industries. Instead of cold-pitching people who didn’t know me, I focused on building relationships first. It wasn’t about making quick sales—it was about creating trust, showing up consistently, and proving that I was invested in the long term.

This is something iCubica CR has also embraced. Our ability to scale isn’t just based on having a great product—it’s based on creating strong partnerships and understanding the power of community-driven growth.

💡 Key Takeaways from Community-Driven Businesses:

• Reputation is everything. In any industry, trust and credibility open more doors than sales tactics ever will.

• Give before you ask. The most successful businesspeople build relationships by offering value first.

• Success is collective. You rise by lifting others—whether it’s through mentorship, collaboration, or genuine support.

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." – African Proverb

Entrepreneurship isn’t about proving you can do everything by yourself—it’s about knowing when to lean on others, when to collaborate, and when to invest in the people around you.

Business Wisdom Is Everywhere

The best business lessons don’t always come from textbooks, TED Talks, or traditional corporate leaders. Sometimes, they come from the hustle of a street vendor, the strategy of a professional gamer, the discipline of an elite athlete, or the community-driven approach of underground business networks.

Each of these unconventional sources teaches us something essential:

• From street vendors, we learn agility. Success isn’t about having the perfect plan—it’s about adapting quickly when things don’t go as planned.

• From professional gamers, we learn strategic thinking. The best entrepreneurs don’t just react—they anticipate, analyze, and make smarter moves.

• From athletes, we learn resilience. Business isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Endurance, discipline, and mental toughness are what keep you going.

• From community-driven businesses, we learn the power of relationships. No one builds success alone. Reputation, trust, and meaningful connections are invaluable.

"Entrepreneurship is about staying adaptable, thinking strategically, building resilience, and knowing that the right people will always be your greatest asset." – Laura Varela Fallas

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this, it’s that business wisdom is everywhere. You just have to know where to look.

So, what’s the most unexpected place you’ve learned a valuable business lesson? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your story.