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.

Lillie Neltner

I have had so many ups and downs as an artist. One mistake that I have made over and over is underselling myself. I have sold detailed artwork for prices as low as $15, done week long projects for people for free, and have even taken jobs that I knew I was overqualified for, only to be underpaid. I didn’t start seeing success until I gained confidence in myself and my abilities. Read more>>

Stephanie Morales

I can tell you that I have learned from my failures. I feel as I failed as a Manager a few years back. I did not speak up and took on things I was not fully ready for. I should had read more books, I should have spoken up more but all I did was break down in silence and try to figure things out on my own. I took on more than I can handle and I was just trying to do it all and make everyone else happy. Do not get me wrong, I love what I do and I always put my heart and soul into. But it did become too much at some point and Covid did not help. Being a woman in a male dominant industry also makes you work that much harder, to be heard and seen. I just keep thinking what could I have done different, what did I do wrong, should I have just toughed it out or just be quiet and do what they say. Read more>>

Lorinda Van Newkirk

You never truly grow without experiencing failure. As painful as it may feel, failure is often the best teacher, revealing what needs to change and how one must evolve, whether personally or in business. In 2015, I faced the unexpected: I was fired from my own company, which I had built over the course of 13 years. As my business partner and the last seven employees stood there, we listened to the HR representative read through some legal jargon. Frankly, I don’t think I absorbed a single word. Read more>>