Failure isn’t the only teacher—but it’s the one that sticks

Failure isn’t the only teacher—but it’s the one that sticks

The Hard Truth About Failure

They say failure is the best teacher—and let’s be honest, that’s because it hurts the most.

I’ve built businesses, I’ve grown teams, I’ve taken risks… and yes, I’ve failed. Spectacularly at times. The kind of failure that keeps you up at night, makes you question everything, and forces you to dig deep or give up.

But here’s the thing—failure isn’t just about learning. It’s about how you respond, what you do next, and how you use it to make your next move stronger than ever.

Let me take you through some of my biggest business missteps, what they taught me, and why you don’t always have to fail to learn—if you listen to those who already have.


Lesson 1: Just because you love it, doesn’t mean it’s a business

One of my biggest mistakes? Believing passion alone was enough.

I once launched a retail concept that I was obsessed with. I poured everything into it—time, money, energy. The store was buzzing, hundreds of people walked through the doors, and from the outside, it looked like a huge success.

But the business model didn’t work. We needed to charge 25% more to make it viable, but there was a ceiling on what customers were willing to pay. I did everything to reduce costs—I even rented out space to cover my rent—but it still wasn’t enough.

💡 The real lesson? A business isn’t just about what excites you—it’s about what people will pay for, at a price that makes sense.

I had to pivot. I had to swallow my pride. And that led me to something even better: helping others avoid the same mistake.


Lesson 2: If you can’t sell, you don’t have a business

Selling used to feel awkward and uncomfortable—until I realised something.

💡 Selling isn’t about YOU—it’s about THEM.

I had to let go of the fear of being “pushy” and start thinking about the problem my business solved. Once I cracked that, everything changed.

If you’ve ever struggled with selling, I get it. That’s why I created the concept of Seller’s Block—because I’ve been there. But if you can’t sell, you don’t have a business, you have a hobby.


Lesson 3: Failure isn’t the only way to learn—but it’s the one you’ll never forget

Yes, failure has been one of my greatest teachers. But as I’ve got older, I’ve realised you don’t have to learn everything the hard way.

🚀 You can learn from others who have been there before.
🚀 You can ask for help sooner.
🚀 You can recognise warning signs before they become disasters.

That’s why I do what I do. I help business owners avoid unnecessary failures—while embracing the ones that make them stronger.


Final thought: fail fast, learn faster, move forward

Failure will happen, no matter how much you try to avoid it. But the real magic? It’s what you do with it.

So, let me ask you:
👉 What’s a failure that changed everything for you?
👉 Or, what’s something you’re trying to avoid failing at right now?

Drop me an email — I’d love to hear your story.

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