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.

Jomarie Cortese

A little bit of background. I worked at brand Design agencies at first. I was receiving a majority of positive feedback from bosses up until this point. I started my career thinking, “I’m a pro I can do anything”. I’ve always wanted to be a business owner. My parents are entrepreneurs so I have always been inspired to take that route. I was still in the early stages of my social media management career when a co-worker referred my services to two small businesses. I met with these businesses and I ended up taking them on. These were two of my first clients working solo. Early on I noticed a disconnect in each of our expectations. We weren’t seeing eye to eye on the work I delivered. Both clients ended up terminating the partnership after a couple of months. Read more>>

Pearl Price

My first client fired me. I still remember the ringing in my ears, the hollow feeling in my stomach, as I stared blankly at the email. It was early in the morning, and the bitter taste of my half-finished coffee had nothing on the bitter disappointment I felt at that moment. Back then, I was just dipping my toes into the vast ocean of entrepreneurship. I had started a virtual assistant business, eager to use my skills in an arena where I was my own boss. I had an affinity for web design, which I had done before for my mom’s businesses. I believed that I was good at it and I was eager to use my creative expressions to make something impactful for others. Read more>>

Constance Zemcik

In 2019, my husband and I quit our dead end jobs to pursue my art career. we packed up all of our belongings and moved to the West Coast of Florida. we started selling my artwork at work shows and festivals. We would sell little knickknacks that I painted on but none of the large canvases. Since the art shows and festivals were so expensive, we were really counting on selling the canvases to make a living. After a couple of months, we had spent all of our savings and had nothing to show for it. We had come to the realization that I was painting to pay for the shows and not making an income. we decided to move back to the East Coast of Florida and go back to dead end jobs. That was the biggest failure that I have experienced in my art career and I was devastated that it didn’t work out. But I didn’t give up Hope. Read more>>

Daisy Reyes

Throughout the years I have had my business open, I have definitely made many mistakes and learned along the way. However, one of the biggest failures I have experienced has served me as a great lesson. Earlier in 2022, I had a failed experience in opening a brick & mortar storefront. Most of this was caused by associating myself with the wrong business partner and rushing an entire process that is meant to be taken slowly and more considerate. During this time, I spend a lot of time, energy and money. Meanwhile, I was also healing from the passing of a loved one and I was balancing both my 9-5 and school. Luckily, my close friends and family supported this idea and helped wherever they could. Read more>>