Failing the Way to Success.

So, I'm instantly obsessed with anything pertaining to entrepreneurship - especially when it comes to young people. I'm just so inspired seeing my peers so driven and committed to living their dreams fully and working until they become a reality.  This new show on Bravo started up this week called Start-Ups: Silicone Valley, which basically follows the lives of these young professionals in Silicone Valley, CA as they push to launch and expand their businesses. That's how I was introduced to Pop 17, which I must say I'm very impressed by all that they have already done with this brand, I mean it was already on Forbes List... FORBES LIST lol.  That's how you know you're going places! lol

Anyways, so I came across an article on their website and it's all about FAILURE, something I think prevents too many people from pursuing their passion or ideas.  There is an event called FailCon founded by Cass Philipps and Diane Loviglio, that is completely dedicated to sharing and in a way - exposing failure.  So many people get caught up in the term, because society has put a negative connotation on the word, not realizing that by running from failure - you're dodging success. Reading the article so many profound/respected business owners shared their success stories, which stemmed from their failure.

I read a statistic one time that actually scared me, I can't remember the exact numbers so I won't say any lol, but it boiled down to this: The majority of first time businesses fail, the majority of second - time businesses succeed - but only around 1% try a second time.  How scary is that? People fail once and never try again, not knowing that most likely the second time they tried they would succeed.  Maybe you'll ask 'But how would they know they would succeed?' , but how would they know they wouldn't? I think as an entrepreneur you always, and I do mean always have to be positive.  You won't always have the luxury of relying on people to help keep you motivated, often times it will be the opposite.  Most people will be rooting for you to fail, or telling you to 'get a real job' but it all comes down to how bad you want to succeed! If you know success is coming - you won't fear failure.

I'll conclude with this one statement that really struck me :

"Diane talked about how FailCon has gone global and some of the cultural differences. In some countries you do not get a second chance, for instance in Japan. In France, you are not able to start another start-up after you have failed for five years."

Could you imagine only having one shot to get it right? Yet - subconsciously that's all some of us are allowing ourselves.  I would encourage you to get out of that mind-set! We have so many opportunities, and we should make the most of them all! So if fear of failure is holding you back from starting your own business, realize that we've all been there! But most importantly - know that in failure some of the greatest lessons are learned! FailCon ENCOURAGES failure - it's an essential part to growing and you WILL see success if you don't fail to try, and try, and try again!

Reference Link : FailCon2012

Tiffany Nicole.