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.

Felicia Vertis

“When My Business Hit a Wall: The Day My TikTok Was Banned” Starting my business, Powetik Waist Beads, was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. From humble beginnings, I had managed to grow a strong community around my work. But by far, one of the most powerful drivers of my business’s growth was TikTok. I still remember the feeling of going from no followers to over 22,000 in just a couple of years, from 2022 to 2023. It felt like I was finally getting seen by the world; my sales and orders rolled in daily from live streams. TikTok wasn’t just another platform for me—it was where most of my new customers came from, and where the everyday hustle really paid off. Read more>>

Kendra Harman

I’ve been reselling and doing pop events and markets in Arizona since 2021. My first two to three markets were organized and pulled together nicely; however I did not make any sales. Not a penny! Hardly any glances my way. I was devastated. I felt like a failure. Paying more to be there as a vendor than I even made back. The tears, the thoughts of quitting, the total imposter syndrome of trying to make it in the online and vending space. While I started eventually making smaller sales during events; my streamline of success did not happen until this market season. I pushed through many trials and learning opportunities, Learning my market, my niche, and my ideal customers! My vintage business has certainly not been an overnight success, but I’m so thankful to be sitting here today still working towards this venture.  Read more>>

Bining Xu

Before I graduated, I took on a lighting design role for a major event hosted by NYU’s Chinese Student Association, collaborating with around twelve directors. Despite extensive preparation, I underestimated the pressure of handling a large-scale show as the sole lighting designer. Real-time programming and troubleshooting within extremely limited time proved challenging, and while we made the event happen on schedule, unexpected issues affected the lighting design. Read more>>

Tevon White

During my high school days specifically the year 2020 and the virus COVID-19 being a large effect on how we lived caused me to use my creativity a lot more and starting making clothes for other peoples business or events at the age of 15, I later ran into a client who wasn’t so satisfied with the products I produce after I spent multiple hour fixes the previous mistakes and ended getting sued when had me in distraught. It hurt me but it gave me the vision to start new creating a brand for myself that had a powerful meaning and came up with UNBEARABLE. Read more>>