Failure can absolutely suck it.
Even with the expansive methodologies available on managing failure, nothing prepares you for the emotional sting of it.
Now I am no stranger to failure. I failed at math (multiple times), failed at job interviews (that one phone interview that makes me cringe when I remember it), failed on the job (whole other story) but failing at something that demands your physical, emotional, financial, and mental capabilities is a whole other beating no one prepares you for.
I hate it and quite frankly I could do without it. Dramatic I know.
I have always dreamt of being an entrepreneur. The freedom- whether monetary or otherwise, was appealing. I envisioned it, dreamt, and tasted it even in my imaginations. Yet I failed at my first try. So far, in the last 90days+, I have made 0 dollars from my first online business.
Have I lost my mind? Ask again in a couple of days.
When the pandemic hit, I pondered ways to not only utilize and maximize my time but make some money in the process. 2020 presented that opportunity. Amidst the madness, with no training whatsoever, I took a dive headfirst into learning how to set up an online store with a limited budget and low expertise. Even with the basic knowledge I had, I convinced myself that I was gonna hit it big in a matter of months. I imagined myself as an outlier. That rare unicorn that would make it in the arbitrary time frame I created in my head.
What could possibly go wrong?
My business failing that's what.
Am I discouraged? A bit. Hurt? Oh my God Yes. Ego crushed? Yes.
Will I try again? Yes!
It took some time to come to this point where I can cautiously say, I am glad I failed. It comforts me knowing I am in good company with great people who have failed on their way to success.
The Beginning
Given my limited budget and expertise in setting up an e-commerce store, I decided on Dropshipping. For those unfamiliar, dropshipping is a simplistic reselling business model that entails accepting customer orders without owning or having…
