The Power of the Pawn: Small Moves, Big Wins

I met a man at my coworking space, and after just a few minutes of chatting, he told me I was a pawn.
At first, I was taken aback — I’ve only ever heard that word used as an insult, describing someone being manipulated. But instead of reacting, I listened.

He suggested I watch “The Psychology of a Pawn” on YouTube. He explained that pawns are persistent and, in the end, they’re rewarded. But as I thought about it more, I realized there was much more to it than that.

The Game of Chess — and Business

The game of chess is complicated — just like life and business.
In business, you have the big corporations — the kings and queens. Then there are the mid-sized enterprises — your rooks, knights, and bishops. And finally, there are the pawns: the small businesses.

Entrepreneurs want success, but it takes enormous perseverance. With limited funding and small teams, getting anything off the ground is tough. Maybe they have an incredible idea for an app but no developer to build it. Progress comes slowly — one small step at a time.

Entrepreneurs don’t have entire departments for sales, operations, and facilities. They have themselves — and their perseverance.

Sacrifice and Strategy

Like pawns, entrepreneurs make great sacrifices to reach their goals: time, money, and security. The risks are high, but every move is calculated. It’s a constant balance between risk and reward.

Pawns move alongside other pawns in similar situations. In the same way, small business owners move together, supporting and motivating one another. Here in San Antonio, the entrepreneurial community is strong. Veteran founders share their experiences and offer advice. Places like Launch SA, UTSA SBDC, and Geekdom have been instrumental in helping me start my business — not just because of their resources, but because of the people who make up those communities.

When the time is right, the pawn can make a bold move. It might still only move one square forward, but it shifts its direction — and that one step can open up a world of new possibilities.

New Levels, New Challenges

With new opportunities come new challenges. The pawn can’t move backward — it must keep moving forward. If it stays strong and steady, it may reach the end of the board and transform into a queen.

For entrepreneurs, that transformation might mean achieving real success — gaining funding, hiring a team, or expanding operations. But even then, the game isn’t over. Every new level brings new struggles — scaling, managing growth, building systems, or maintaining company culture.

Now the entrepreneur faces the board from a new perspective, learning new moves and navigating new responsibilities. And just like a promoted pawn, it becomes their turn to help others in the community climb the board too.

The Power of Being a Pawn

So yes — being a pawn is great.
It’s about hard work, discipline, and sacrifice. It’s about moving forward, one square at a time, until you reach your goal. The payoff is worth it — not just for the success you achieve, but for the person you become along the way.