Every entrepreneur carries the weight of uncertainty – that nagging voice wondering which decision might be their last. It’s this universal anxiety that tech entrepreneur and angel investor Furkat Kasimov addresses in his newly released “Don’t Do This: A Guide to Business Survival” – a no-nonsense handbook that might just save countless aspiring business owners from costly blunders.
I got my hands on an early copy, and what stands out immediately is the raw honesty packed into its pages. With over 150 real-world examples (some painfully relatable), the book cuts through the typical business advice fluff. It’s refreshingly blunt – a stark contrast to the sugar-coated entrepreneurial pep talks that flood the market.
Kasimov isn’t just another business guru spouting theories from an ivory tower. After finishing college back in 2006, he jumped into the deep end at InsuranceLeads.com, eventually climbing to VP of Digital Marketing. He helped transform the company into a powerhouse that delivered high-quality leads to major insurance carriers across the States.
Then came 2011 – InsuranceLeads.com got acquired, and instead of playing it safe with another corporate gig, Kasimov took the plunge and co-founded LeadsMarket.com with former colleagues. That bold move speaks volumes about his appetite for entrepreneurial risk.
The book tackles everything from cash flow disasters to leadership failures – those quiet killers that often sink promising businesses before they really get going. What’s particularly useful is how it’s structured to serve both green entrepreneurs and battle-scarred veterans looking to patch up weak spots in their business armor.
Between sections on pricing strategy blunders and hiring nightmares are nuggets of actionable advice that don’t require an MBA to implement. Kasimov avoids the theoretical and sticks to tested approaches that can be put into practice immediately.
His immigrant background adds an interesting layer to his perspective. The drive to achieve what he refers to as “the American Dream of building a successful business” fuels his approach to problem-solving and opportunity-spotting.
While promoting his book, Kasimov has kept busy in tech circles. He’ll be judging the 2025 Globee Awards for Artificial Intelligence and the 2025 Techround UK Fintech 50 competition – further cementing his credibility in the innovation space.
On the topic of AI – which seems to dominate every business conversation these days – Kasimov doesn’t mince words: “AI is creating opportunities for founders that did not exist a few years ago. Adopt or be prepared to become irrelevant.” It’s the kind of straight talk that characterizes the entire book.
The guide speaks directly to entrepreneurs who lie awake at night worrying about setbacks, unpredictable cash flow, marketing mistakes that don’t deliver ROI, and the persistent fear of watching their business dreams crumble. Rather than offering sympathy, it provides a roadmap for navigating these common challenges.
For those interested in picking up a copy, “Don’t Do This: A Guide to Business Survival” is available now on Amazon and Google Play. More information about the book and Kasimov’s other projects can be found on the official website or through the book’s LinkedIn page.
Perhaps the true measure of entrepreneurial wisdom isn’t in the ventures we build, but in the mistakes we learn to sidestep along the way. In this light, Kasimov’s guide isn’t just a business manual – it’s a quiet acknowledgment of our shared vulnerability in the pursuit of success.
