Successful businesses rarely begin with certainty. More often, they start with a problem, a determined founder and the willingness to investigate whether a better solution is possible. That pattern sits at the heart of Bill McGowan’s forthcoming book, Be Your Own Boss, which draws practical lessons from the creation and growth of Fastway Couriers.
McGowan’s entrepreneurial instincts appeared early. At 13, he repaired discarded lawn mowers, built a lawn-care business with around 100 customers and employed other young people to help meet demand. He also began recording goals and measuring his progress, an approach that later became central to his business life.
The idea for Fastway emerged years later after McGowan noticed how expensive it was to send two parcels within New Zealand. Rather than simply complain about the cost, he began asking whether the courier industry could be made simpler, faster and more affordable. That question became the starting point for a much larger business vision.
One of the most important lessons in Be Your Own Boss is that intuition should be tested with evidence. McGowan sold assets and committed significant resources to a year-long research campaign. Approximately 30,000 questionnaires were completed, examining customer needs, delivery prices, booking delays, claims handling and dissatisfaction with existing providers.
The findings revealed opportunities to reduce costs through prepaid labels, scheduled collections, simplified administration and a low-margin, high-volume model. Instead of copying established competitors, McGowan designed a service around the frustrations customers had already identified.
That story highlights a principle that remains relevant for modern entrepreneurs: do not fall in love with an idea before understanding the customer. Research competitors, identify unmet needs, examine operating costs and make sure the proposed solution offers a clear benefit.
Fastway’s early growth also demonstrates the importance of persistence. McGowan faced restrictive transport regulations, resistance from established operators and difficulty securing finance. Yet he continued refining the proposal, presenting detailed research and seeking decision-makers who were willing to understand the opportunity. His account shows that rejection does not always mean the idea is wrong; sometimes the entrepreneur must find a better route forward.
Franchising became another major part of the Fastway story. McGowan compared employee-operated courier runs with franchised territories and found that franchisees generated more business and operated with greater efficiency. That experience helped shape a scalable model built around local ownership, training, systems and accountability.
The book also explores the lessons that followed expansion: the need for professional management, consistent branding, stronger systems, technological investment and the ability to adapt across different countries and cultures. McGowan openly discusses mistakes as well as achievements, making the book more useful than a polished success story.
Currently in the publishing phase, Be Your Own Boss will be available soon. For aspiring entrepreneurs, the Fastway journey offers a clear message: research thoroughly, solve a genuine problem, plan carefully, adapt quickly and keep moving when obstacles appear.
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