Over the years, after talking with tens of thousands of entrepreneurs, artists and creatives, almost every success story we’ve heard has been filled with stories of failure. Unfortunately, in our view the media rarely covers these parts of the story – instead we often read summaries that make it seem like success happened “overnight.” However, what we’ve learned in our conversations with so many successful folks is that failure is core ingredient in the recipe for future success. Below, we’ve shared some fascinating stories of failure from folks who have ultimately found great success.

Reza Mohammadi

In Agust 2021, I didn’t just lose a business, I lost a country.

In 2005, with hopes for political improvement, I returned to Afghanstan, the country I belonged to after years of displacement. I settled in karte 3, near pul-e-surkh in Kabul, and three monthe later, I rented a small 18-square-meter shop and lanched my first business: BARG. Read more>>

Gillian Scott

For seven years after architecture school, I built my career at a firm specializing in government healthcare. It was a highly technical niche that took me across the country, and over time, the team became like family. I felt deeply valued there and believed that, someday, I would rise through the ranks and help lead the company. It wasn’t just a job — it was my home, and I was proud of the work we were doing. Read more>>

Donald Bless

I had started making fixed blade knives when i was still working at the tattoo shop as a side interest/hobby. The shop closed for over a year when the pandemic hit; leaving me with no means of income. With support from my brother I decided to push myself to decided to push my to make knife making work as a legitimate source of income. I designed two folding knives and learned how to make them. Feeling over confident I booked a table at Blade West. Blade West is a custom and production knife show put on by Blade Magazine in SLC,Utah. I made 6 knives for the show. We drove 17 hours from Omaha,Ne to Slc Utah. Read more>>