By Matt Emma
With volatility in our politics, world events and economy, not to mention unforeseen events like the pandemic, uncertainty has become the norm rather than the exception. These challenges are obstacles that require more than just simply grit and determination—they require strategic foresight, adaptability, and maybe most of all, resilience. Few entrepreneurs today embody this approach better than Barak Diskin, a business innovator whose blueprint for navigating turbulent markets has become a model of resilient entrepreneurship.
Who Is Barak Diskin?
Barak Diskin is a serial entrepreneur who has spawned ventures spanning in everything from hospitality, to real estate, to tech, and consumer goods. His background in systems thinking and an intuitive grasp of market dynamics and how they can be influenced by a multitude of factors, Diskin has become known for building businesses that are not only able to withstand volatility but flourish. What sets him apart isn’t just his success in diverse industries, but the frameworks he applies to foster agility, foresight, and resilience in his ventures.
1. Start with Strong Fundamentals—But Build for Flexibility
Diskin’s entrepreneurial philosophy begins with a foundation of strong business fundamentals. “You can have the best plans and ideas, but without the fundamentals, you have no means to turn your ideas or motivation into a viable reality”. This is why he makes certain that whether designing a business or investing in one that it has a clear value proposition, a well-defined target market, and a sustainable financial model. In addition, he never treats his business endeavors as fixed assets, “Your business is a breathing entity, and like any such living entity, can be subject to change.” Diskin understands that viewing your business in this context will allow you to make adjustments when necessary
Also, he also believes in making sure that relevance is always at the top of the list of priorities. “The plan is only as good as the context,” Diskin states. This is why he believes in building models that can be reconfigured quickly as conditions shift. This is evident in his portfolio, where several of his hospitality businesses pivoted from in-person experiences to curated digital offerings during the COVID-19 lockdowns—without losing brand momentum or customer loyalty.
2. Diversification as a Core Principle
“I am a big believer in not putting all your eggs in one basket’, Diskin has repeatedly stated. And this core philosophy is showcased in one of the most distinctive aspects of Diskin’s overall business blueprint, which is his commitment to strategic diversification—not just across industries, but within business models. For example, in his real estate ventures, Diskin pairs traditional property investment with tech-enabled platforms for rental management and data analytics. This not only provides multiple revenue streams but also creates cross-functional insights that improve performance.
While most view diversification as a hedge against failures, Diskin views it as a proactive growth strategy. “It’s not about being everywhere,” he says, “it’s about being adaptable. When one door narrows, another should already be open.”
3. Invest in Systems, Not Just Solutions
Resilient entrepreneurship isn’t just about reacting—it’s about anticipating. Diskin emphasizes investing in systems over individual solutions. “If you don’t believe in the way a business is run, either functionally or philosophically, it’s probably not a good bet.” Whether it’s using predictive analytics to track consumer behavior or implementing agile project management tools across teams, his companies are designed to identify patterns, respond faster, and iterate quickly.
A tremendous example of this practice was in one of his e-commerce ventures. Diskin implemented AI-based inventory systems that forecasted demand shifts weeks in advance. This allowed his team to adjust supply chain logistics proactively, avoiding the stockouts and delays that plagued competitors during global shortages.
4. Talent Resilience: Build Teams That Thrive in Uncertainty
Diskin believes that no system is stronger than the people behind it, which is why one of his most consistent priorities across ventures is team development. Yet Diskin takes a unique approach. Rather than simply hiring for static roles or “job titles”, he looks for entrepreneurial thinkers—individuals who can take ownership, work across functions, and remain calm under pressure. “Skills can always be learned or transferred, but having the right person to fit the need is your most valuable asset.”
In taking this tack, he fosters a culture of psychological safety, where experimentation and failure are accepted as part of the innovation process. This has been apparent in all of his ventures, as Diskin had created organizations where talent feels empowered to adapt, experiment, and ultimately thrive—even when external conditions are anything but stable.
5. Transparent Communication and Community Engagement
During uncertain times, clear communication becomes a competitive advantage. Diskin’s businesses place a strong emphasis on internal transparency and community-driven messaging. Whether it’s updating stakeholders on strategic pivots or keeping customers informed during supply disruptions, his approach builds trust and credibility. “Having open lines of communication is a must if you are going to create a business built on mutual trust.”
This was particularly evident during the pandemic, when several of his brands maintained constant, authentic communication with their user base, offering not just updates but value-driven content, free resources, and engagement opportunities that went beyond transactional relationships.
6. Use Crises as Innovation Catalysts
Where others see crises as threats, Diskin sees opportunity. One of the pillars of his entrepreneurial blueprint is reframing disruption as a moment for reinvention. Rather than pause operations or retreat during downturns, he often uses the moment to launch pilot projects, test new markets, or reassess the core business model. “I don’t care what challenge or even crisis you may face, the flip side will always have opportunity.”
For example, when inflation caused major shifts in consumer purchasing behavior, one of Diskin’s consumer goods companies launched a line of premium-but-affordable products, tailored to new buyer sensitivities. The product line became a top seller—proving that adaptability is as much about timing as it is about execution.
7. Resilience is a Practice, Not a Trait
Above all, Diskin views resilience not as a fixed characteristic, but as a skillset that entrepreneurs must cultivate over time. “Like any desirable business skill, resilience is a learned ability that comes off as an intrinsic trait.”
He advocates for ongoing learning, mental flexibility, and scenario planning as everyday practices. His leadership teams regularly engage in resilience drills—workshops that simulate crisis situations, from cybersecurity breaches to PR crises—to improve organizational response time and reduce decision fatigue when it matters most.
He also emphasizes the importance of founder wellness. “Burnout”, he argues, “is one of the biggest threats to entrepreneurial resilience.” By modeling balanced leadership and promoting self-care within his companies, Diskin ensures that resilience begins with the individual and scales through the organization.
Conclusion: A Blueprint Built for the Future
In an era where change is the only constant, Barak Diskin offers more than business advice—he offers a framework for thriving in uncertainty. His blueprint doesn’t promise immunity from challenges, as there is no such strategy. However, it does equip entrepreneurs with the tools, mindsets, and strategies to navigate difficult times with confidence, and provides them the ability to find the hidden opportunities that others will overlook.
Diskin’s approach reminds us that resilient entrepreneurship isn’t about avoiding risk—it’s about embracing it with intention, preparation, and adaptability. Any business leader facing an unpredictable market can apply DIskin’s principles, that will in turn provide actionable inspiration for not only surviving uncertainty—but be strengthened by it.
