Hello Failure, My Old Friend

Failure and I? We're old friends. As an entrepreneur, a human, a parent, friend, partner – I've stumbled so many times. Each fall etched a unique lesson into my being. I've failed – a lot. And I'm not shy to admit it because I'm sure you've been there too.

This journey is not just about acknowledging failure. It's about reframing it, embracing it, and mining it for wisdom.

Picture this: an eighteen-year-old me, huddled in front of my parents' computer, launching an online shop named 'Greatest Deals Online'. I quickly became one of the first eBay power sellers. But success wasn't as rosy as it seemed. I was oblivious to the intricate aspects of running a business, like VAT obligations, and soon found myself in hot water with the taxman. A harsh lesson learned, but it instilled in me the complexity of entrepreneurship and the criticality of attention to detail.

Fast-forward to the 'Onesie Warehouse'. Born from a playful experiment in SEO and social media, this venture exploded overnight. My inbox was awash with orders. The catch? I had no stock to sell. I scrambled to source wholesale products and transformed my living room into a makeshift warehouse. My one-year-old daughter was ill, and I found myself caught between caring for her and managing this unexpected business avalanche. From this challenging time, I learned the importance of preparation, scalability, and balancing professional aspirations with personal commitments.

Over the years, I've embarked on numerous adventures – from online shops to magazines. Each brought its unique set of challenges and yes, failures. But these failures served as stepping stones, leading me to a business I love and an amazing community. My journey taught me the importance of having a Plan B, preparing for the "what-ifs", and seeing failure as a valuable mentor, not a feared adversary.

My Dad, a charming market trader still engaging customers at 73, has been a guiding light throughout this journey. His joy in simple, patient work and his respect for the process have been enduring lessons in mindful entrepreneurship.

So, here's the lesson: Always learn from your failures!

Embrace them. They aren't debilitating stains on your journey but significant milestones shaping your narrative.

So what can we glean from these moments?

Embrace Failures with Kindness, Slowpreneurship is about self-compassion and mindfulness. Treat each failure as a lesson, not a haunting past mistake. Remember, the questionable haircut in your youth doesn’t define your style now, so why let past failures define your entrepreneurial journey?

Prepare and Practice Patience, My experience with the Onesie Warehouse revealed that a lack of preparation can lead to chaos. The six Ps – Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance – are crucial. Slowpreneurship is about thoughtful action, not haste. Invest time in understanding your business landscape and preparing for diverse outcomes. This practice can create a more relaxed approach.

Redefine Fear and 'What-ifs, Mindful entrepreneurship means viewing fear as a part of the journey, not an adversary. It's about treating 'what-ifs' not as threats but as opportunities for growth. Use your past experiences to build a more resilient self.

Cultivate a Flexible Mindset, Slowpreneurship champions adaptability and resilience. Even when committed to Plan A, it's smart to have a Plan B. It's not about anticipating failure, but about fostering flexibility.

Choosing to approach our entrepreneurial journey mindfully and compassionately can lead to stronger, wiser, and more resilient entrepreneurship – with less stress!

Let's create a space where we wear our failures as badges of honour. They signify not only where we've been but also how far we've come.

My story is one of many – the entrepreneurial journey is strewn with trials and tribulations, moments of doubt, and instances of failure.

And that's okay. Failure isn't a destination, but a stepping stone along the journey. Embrace it, learn from it, and continue moving forward. Be mindful of your failures, accept them, and learn from them. This not only makes you a stronger entrepreneur but also a more resilient individual.

In the end, 'slowpreneurship' isn't about never failing; it's about rising stronger each time we stumble. It's about pacing ourselves, learning, and growing, one step at a time. Keep the faith, and press on. Because that's where true success lies.

Now, I invite you to share your own stories of failure. It's through sharing our experiences that we can support each other on this journey.

Let's celebrate not just our successes, but also our valuable failures, together.

Here's to a slower, more mindful way...

PS: I'm turning this into a mini daily-ish newsletter series. Subscribe if you want to learn along with me to embrace the slow, yet still be successful, entrepreneurial path.