Building an online business can feel like an endless cycle of trial and error. Many aspiring entrepreneurs work tirelessly, following every strategy, yet struggle to see results. The frustration builds, motivation fades, and soon, the thought of giving up becomes all too real.

But what if the problem isn?t you?but rather the system you?re following?

Success in business?whether online or offline?doesn?t come from sticking to outdated strategies. It comes from adaptability, learning new skills, and positioning yourself ahead of industry shifts.

Today, I want to share a story that hits close to home. It?s about a company that failed to adapt and ultimately shut its doors after 72 years. But within this story lies a valuable lesson for every struggling entrepreneur.

From Stability to Shutdown: The Rise and Fall of Schwan?s

When I first moved from New York to Virginia, I carried that classic New York mentality: ?If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.? But relocating came with unexpected challenges?especially when it came to finding work.

At the time, I was running a commercial cleaning business, but when the 2008 recession hit, everything changed. Businesses cut costs, contracts dried up, and I found myself needing a new opportunity.

That?s when I landed a job with Schwan?s Home Delivery?a frozen food service that sold everything from ice cream to gourmet steaks.

Unlike traditional delivery jobs, this was hardcore sales. We had quotas to hit, a truck full of products to memorize, and routes that could run 70+ stops deep. The schedule was grueling?10+ hour shifts, sometimes from 6 AM to 11 PM.

I quickly learned that this job wasn?t for everyone.

Employees quit left and right. Supervisors came and went every few months because even they couldn?t take it. I had nights where I was knocking on doors at 10 PM, trying to squeeze in that one last sale to boost my commission.

But the hardest part wasn?t the job itself?it was the realization that this business model was unsustainable.

Fast forward to today, and Schwan?s?now rebranded as Yelloh?is shutting down permanently.

The reason? They didn?t adapt.

The Harsh Reality of an Outdated Business Model

For decades, Schwan?s operated on a face-to-face sales model. Their business relied on door-to-door selling, even as the world moved toward app-based convenience.

They failed to recognize changing consumer behavior.

? Problem #1: The Shift to Online Ordering

Customers now prefer digital-first services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Instacart, and Amazon Fresh. Schwan?s continued pushing an outdated approach while competitors embraced technology.

? Problem #2: The High Cost of Customer Acquisition

Door-to-door sales require significant effort. Customers were no longer home as often or simply preferred online shopping over in-person sales. Instead of optimizing their model, Schwan?s held onto a strategy that became more expensive and less effective.

? Problem #3: Employee Burnout and High Turnover

The intense workload led to high employee turnover, which weakened customer relationships. A business that thrives on repeat customers can?t survive when its workforce is constantly changing.

The result? A slow, painful decline that ended in complete shutdown.

What Can Affiliate Marketers Learn from Schwan?s Downfall?

If you?re struggling in affiliate marketing, it?s time to ask yourself:

? Are you adapting to industry changes, or are you stuck using strategies that no longer work?

? Are you following a system designed for longevity, or are you just chasing quick wins?

? Do you have skills that will keep you profitable no matter what happens in the market?

Here?s the truth: Most struggling entrepreneurs are failing for the exact same reasons Schwan?s did.

They?re following outdated tactics, working harder instead of smarter, and trying to succeed without real skills that separate them from the competition.

If you feel stuck?constantly creating content, engaging in Facebook groups, following up in the DMs?but still not making sales, it?s time to make a change.

? The secret to long-term success isn?t just ?hustling harder??it?s learning skills that put YOU in control.

? That?s why I want to invite you to The Hustler?s Secret Success System?a proven method that teaches you how to build a profitable online business using strategies that actually work.

Start Your Affiliate Marketing Journey and Grab Your Exclusive Album

The Future of Home Food Delivery: Who?s Winning?

While Schwan?s failed to evolve, other brands are thriving by leveraging modern marketing and digital convenience.

If you were a Schwan?s customer, here are some alternatives that have successfully adapted:

? Omaha Steaks ? Specializes in high-quality meats and gourmet meals.

? HelloFresh ? Delivers fresh ingredients and easy-to-follow meal kits.

? Home Chef ? Customizable meal plans with oven-ready options.

? Blue Apron ? One of the pioneers in meal-kit delivery.

? Instacart & Amazon Fresh ? Convenient grocery delivery services with a wide selection.

Each of these brands recognized consumer trends and evolved with the market.

? What does that mean for you as an online entrepreneur?

You must be in a system that evolves, not one that will disappear in 5 years.

Final Thoughts: Adapt or Get Left Behind

The biggest lesson from Schwan?s downfall is this: No business is too big to fail.

If a 72-year-old brand with a massive customer base can collapse because they refused to adapt, imagine what happens to individuals who refuse to level up their skills.

If you?ve been trying to figure out how to make money online, but you feel like you?re just spinning your wheels, this is your wake-up call.

? What got you here won?t get you there.

? If you?re stuck, it?s because you?re missing the right strategy.

? It?s time to get into a system that actually works.

Schwan?s may be gone, but your success story is still being written. Make sure it?s a story worth telling.

Next Steps: Take Action Now

If you?ve been watching others succeed and wondering when it will be your turn?this is your moment.

? Click Here to Get access to exclusive training where the exact system I use to build a thriving online business is broke down.

Because the truth is?success is only reserved for those who take action. ?