From Underdog to Entrepreneur: How Your Tough Start Can Drive Unstoppable Success

I can’t count how many times I hear people say, ‘Oh, I wish my life were easier.’ It’s something I’ve thought about a lot. My life has never been easy. The truth is, I don’t think many lives are. What may appear effortless from the outside often hides immense challenges. Being human is inherently difficult—period. While some of us face more adversity than others, we all have our struggles.

For instance, I was expelled from school in seventh grade and hadn’t really had math since the fourth grade. I could share countless stories of hardship. Yet, despite these challenges, I’ve always believed in my grit, faith and courage to create a meaningful life—one where I feel challenged and accomplished, and where I cultivate positive feelings about what I do.

Success isn’t solely about money; in fact, I believe financial gain shouldn’t be the ultimate goal. It’s about finding purpose and fulfillment along the way.

When I speak at universities, for companies or with aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m frequently asked: "How did the challenges you faced early in life shape your resilience and entrepreneurial outlook?"

This question stems from my unconventional journey—from leaving home at 13 and navigating foster care to becoming a global entrepreneur. Throughout the years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on various boards, contributing to Forbes, mentoring as a TED Fellow, and being a member of the UN Women’s advisory board, among other experiences.

The truth is that those early traumatic experiences didn’t merely influence my resilience; they forged it.

Resilience Isn’t Built in Comfort Zones

One of the most transformative moments in my life was leaving home at a young age. This experience forced me to rely on my instincts and develop crucial skills like networking, handling rejection, and cultivating self-reliance. I learned how to navigate feelings of humiliation and loneliness, as well as the loss of status. Adapting became essential; without it, I wouldn’t have survived.

One of my earliest memories of feeling like I didn’t belong dates back to my sixth or seventh birthday in northern Denmark. My mother invited all the girls from my class, but no one showed up. There I was, standing outside my house in a pretty little dress, filled with excitement for my birthday, only to be met with silence. That experience became a profound lesson, teaching me how to stand tall in solitude. It prepared me for the many challenges ahead.

Adversity, I’ve found, doesn’t necessarily define you—it tests you.

It forces a choice: will you let it break you or build you? For me, it became the cornerstone of resilience and entrepreneurial thinking—adapting, pivoting, and problem-solving even in the most challenging circumstances.

This mindset has been invaluable in entrepreneurship. The best leaders are those who can look at failure, uncertainty, and adversity, rejections and see them as opportunities to innovate and grow. Entrepreneurship, much like life, is never linear. It’s about continuously recalibrating your approach as circumstances evolve.

Leadership Through a Global Lens

A major influence on my leadership journey has been my experience navigating diverse cultures, from Morocco and Denmark to Switzerland, Luxembourg, Norway, and the U.S.

These diverse experiences helped me understand the value of different perspectives and the power of inclusion. Years back working on the UN Women’s advisory board exposed me to systemic challenges that block people’s potential. I realized that leadership isn’t just about profitability—it’s about creating environments where people can thrive.

When mentoring young entrepreneurs today, I always emphasize this: surround yourself with people who challenge you, inspire you, and push you toward your purpose. You often hear the advice to surround yourself with supportive people. However, there’s also value in learning from those who may not want you to succeed. Their challenges can provide unique insights and motivate you to prove them wrong.

Understand your core values and identify what truly drives you. Be completely honest with yourself about these motivations. The path to success is rarely straightforward; having a clear sense of your ‘why’ will empower you to persevere when challenges arise

Navigating the Early Days: The Power of Networks

Starting my ventures wasn’t without difficulty, particularly with limited resources. What helped me early on—and this is crucial for any entrepreneur—is the power of networks.

Whether you’re bootstrapping or raising venture capital, the relationships you cultivate are game-changers. Early on, I sought mentors who’d walked paths similar to mine, from local entrepreneurs to Silicon Valley investors. Building those genuine relationships and having the humility to ask for help gave me access to resources, knowledge, and opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

The Danish Influence: A Global Perspective

Growing up in Denmark instilled in me a sense of balance—between innovation and impact, profit and purpose. Denmark’s entrepreneurial spirit is strong, but it’s also deeply intertwined with social responsibility. That mindset has been pivotal in how I’ve navigated international markets and shaped my ventures. I’ve learned to balance the drive for growth with a long-term vision that takes into account the broader impact of the work we do. It’s not just about solving problems—it’s about building solutions that endure and serve the greater good.

From Underdog to Entrepreneurial Success

Ultimately, the path to entrepreneurship is anything but predictable. My journey was far from conventional, but those early challenges laid the foundation for the resilience and adaptability that define my leadership today. For every aspiring entrepreneur, the key is recognizing that your unique journey—no matter how unconventional—can be your greatest asset.