Master the Grit Factor When the World Says No

There’s a moment every entrepreneur faces when their vision is challenged.

?When doors keep closing and when the dream they’ve nurtured feels like an impossible mountain to climb. For me, that moment came when I started Thando Channel.

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Five years ago, I had a clear business plan( or so i thought), a well-thought-out strategy, and a deep conviction that Africa needed a platform that truly showcased our stories—by women, for women. Yet, every door I knocked on was shut in my face. Investors didn’t see the opportunity; they told me it wasn’t a good investment as I was sitting in Zimbabwe and It was greenfield. Some thought I wanted to compete with Netflix—a misunderstanding that made me realize just how little people grasped about content development. Others dismissed my vision entirely, reducing it to a "passion project" not a viable business proposition

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Every rejection stung, but each one also strengthened my resolve. This is what grit looks like—pushing forward despite the setbacks, recalibrating when necessary, and putting your own skin in the game when no one else believes in you.

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In her book "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance", psychologist Angela Duckworth defines grit as the combination of passion and persistence over time. She emphasizes that talent alone doesn’t lead to success—it’s about how deeply you commit to your vision, despite obstacles. I lived this firsthand with Thando Channel.

The Grit to Keep Going

In the early days of Thando Channel, my belief in the platform and its potential never wavered, even when I had every reason to quit.

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I had to get creative, finding new ways to build momentum. I invested my own resources, sought alternative funding avenues, and kept refining my pitch until the right people started listening. Even when an investor finally said yes and then pulled out, I refused to let that be the end of my story. I kept going.

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Fast forward to today, Thando Channel has grown into a vibrant digital space, connecting Pan-African audiences across Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, with expanding reach in the USA and UK. Our Facebook community now has over 12,000 members, and our YouTube channel saw over 50,000 views on Season 3 of the Thando Channel Book Club, with 80,000 interactions. This platform, which once seemed like an impossible dream, is now a thriving hub for African voices and stories. We now also have content that has been licensed in the US

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This journey reminded me of another powerful book: "Can’t Hurt Me" by David Goggins. His story of mental toughness and resilience shows that our limits are often self-imposed, and pushing through discomfort is what separates those who succeed from those who give up.

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Grit in Action: The Inspire Summit

Building Thando Channel taught me firsthand that success isn’t about how easy the journey is but about how relentless you are in the pursuit of your goals. That same spirit of perseverance and empowerment led to the creation of The Inspire Summit—a movement dedicated to helping women embrace their strengths, break barriers, and create lasting impact.

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Now in its second year, the Inspire Summit is more than just an event; it’s a beacon of growth, empowerment, and possibility. Year after year, we bring together unstoppable women to have powerful conversations, share faith-driven resilience, and build transformative networks. The world often tells us that certain things aren’t possible, that the odds are too great. But my story with Thando Channel is proof that grit defies the odds.

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How You Can Cultivate Grit

?? Embrace Rejection as Redirection Every "no" is an opportunity to refine your approach. If people don’t understand your vision yet, educate them. If they say no, find out why and adjust.

?? Keep Your Eyes on the Long-Term Goal Grit isn’t about short-term wins—it’s about the marathon. Stay committed to your vision, even when the path forward isn’t clear.

?? Put Skin in the Game If you’re not willing to invest in yourself, why should anyone else? Take calculated risks, and show the world that you believe in your mission.

?? Find Your Tribe Surround yourself with people who uplift and challenge you. Community is everything—whether it’s through a mentor, a support group, or events like The Inspire Summit.

?? Develop Mental Resilience Challenges will come, but resilience is built through adversity. Strengthen your mindset, seek growth in difficulties, and never stop learning.

Elevate Your Mindset

If this resonates with you—if you have a vision that you refuse to give up on, or if you need a push to keep going—I invite you to reach out and sign up for the Mindset Elevator Programme. It’s a space designed to help ambitious women develop the mental strength and resilience they need to break barriers and achieve their goals.

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?? Let’s build legacies together. Let’s defy the odds. Let’s embrace the power of grit.

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?? Drop a comment—what’s one challenge you’ve overcome through grit? Let’s inspire each other!