Let’s be real—nobody grows up saying, “I want to be the CEO of a company where I fail repeatedly, go broke a few times, and wonder if I’m making all the right decisions!” But here I am, doing exactly that. This journey of discovering my passion, leaving the safety net of a steady job, and diving headfirst into the world of entrepreneurship wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. In fact, it was more like a hike up Mount Everest—without any training.
The Early Days: The "I Tried Everything" Phase
Before I had the grand title of "CEO," I was just like any other ambitious job-seeker trying on careers like they were shoes. I hopped from one field to another, wondering if I’d finally found *the one.* From corporate gigs to freelancing, I was the very definition of “career explorer.” And let me tell you, I failed in every possible way you can think of. I tried everything from sales (where I discovered I’m terrible at selling things I don’t believe in) to creative roles where I learned corporate "creativity" is a little more spreadsheet than a spark.
Each job felt like a new puzzle piece, but the whole picture remained a blur. Looking back, though, those experiences were exactly what I needed. Each misstep taught me about different work cultures, styles, and strategies. They were tiny failures that nudged me closer to where I needed to be, even if it didn’t feel like it at the time.
Taking the Leap: Starting My Own Agency
Eventually, I knew it was time to stop hopping around and put everything I’d learned into something that was mine. So, I did what every optimistic (and slightly terrified) aspiring CEO does—I registered my own company with a notebook full of big dreams, a head full of fresh ideas, and a stomach full of butterflies. I was ready to conquer the world, armed with...well, just an idea.
The funny part? I thought starting the business was the hard part. Little did I know, the real struggle was just getting started. I couldn’t find the right people to bring on board; finding a team that shared my vision felt like hunting for unicorns. And without a stable team, delivering commitments to clients was, let’s say, a bit of an adventure. One week we’d be on top of the world, and the next week, well...we were barely on top of our email inboxes.
Failures Galore: How They Became My Secret Weapon
Oh, the things I learned from failing (repeatedly). One project would flop, and I’d feel like I was back at square one. Another would go sideways, and I’d wonder if maybe that corporate job was still hiring. But with each failure, I became a little bit wiser (and a lot more resilient). Slowly, I pieced together a formula that worked: building a team that shared my vision, setting clear expectations, and most importantly, embracing my own imperfections.
Here’s the biggest lesson I learned: failure isn’t something to fear; it’s something to work with. Each misstep taught me what *not* to do and how to set myself up for success in the future. I learned that building a team isn’t just about finding talented people; it’s about finding people who believe in what you’re building and who are ready to put in the work to make it happen.
From Struggles to Success: Finding My Confidence as a CEO
Now, don’t get me wrong—things are still hard, and sometimes they’re downright chaotic. But I finally learned to trust myself and my process. I learned that the road to confidence is paved with trial and error (and a healthy dose of self-doubt). Being a CEO is all about learning, unlearning, and adapting, even when it feels like the sky is falling.
These days, when things don’t go as planned, I don’t see it as a personal failure. I see it as a new chance to learn, improve, and keep growing. I’m no longer afraid of failing because I know I can handle whatever comes my way—and I can laugh a little along the way, too.
So, here’s to every stumble, every facepalm moment, and every lesson learned the hard way.** Because without them, I wouldn’t be the CEO I am today, leading a company that’s not perfect but is uniquely ours. And I have a hunch I wouldn’t have it any other way.