Successful Entrepreneurs Learned From Dealing
with failure WHAT PRE SEN T S

PART I:
Getting
started

Success isn't necessarily found by
being an employee. Leo Widrich co-founder & COO, Buffer.

Success isn't necessarily found by
being an employee. *)5ü./0/1))!.0!.)5ü./05!.%*+((!#!Č !/,!.0!(50.%! 0+ #!0+0+!.*/+)!)+*!5/,++./01 !*0ċ+)00!.3$0 % +.3$%$,(! 3.+0!0+Č #+0/+(10!(5*+.!/,+*/!/'ċ Ƶ0!.!3 5/+!!(%*# +3*Č .!(%6! 0$0 +1( (35/#+* 3+.'+.)5/!(ċ+ /0.0! /)((/+%()! %+*/1(0*50$0 $!(,! )!!.*)5ü./0!30$+1/* +((./%*0$0/1))!.ċ The key lesson for me, was that you might not get a job, but that doesn't mean there aren't some great things you can still go out and do. $!)+.! 0$%*''+100$0+*!/1))!.Č0$!)+.!%0!)! (!.+$+32%0((5%),+.0*00$0!4,!.%!*!+/0.0%*#)5+3* /)((+),*5'0$!*3/Č0+$!(,)!#!00+3$!.! )0+ 5ċ $!+/0(!%/0$!35Č//+)!+*!!10%1((5,10%0%*#.!0++'ċ Leo Widrich co-founder COO, Buffer.

Success isn't necessarily found by
being an employee. ćĆŌ+Ƶ)!.%*//1.2!5! /% 0$!5.!!%2! *+ .!+#*%0%+*+.#++ 3+.'ċ 03/(/+0$!)+/0 +))+*.!/+*Ƶ)!.%*/(!00$!%.+/ċ Gallup, Tom Rath and Donald Clifton, How Full Is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life, 2001

Think simple from the start.
Neil Patel Investor, advisor, blogger. Started CrazyEgg and KISSmetrics

Think simple from the start.
$!/%*#(!%##!/0(!//+* (!.*! %/0$05+1*!! 0+)'!5+1./+(10%+*/%),(!ċ ŏ2!$ (+0+ 1/%*!//!/%(* 05,%((50$!%(1.!3/*ŏ0 1! 0+0$!% !ċ */0! 0$!/+(10%+*3/+),(%0! * $. 0+1/!ċ By making your product really easy to use you are more likely to succeed. Neil Patel Investor, advisor, blogger. Started CrazyEgg and KISSmetrics

The stability of your career
is under your control. Kristi Hines freelance writer, ghostwriter and professional blogger, Kristi Hines Media.

The stability of your career
is under your control. +)!,!+,(!.!.% +#+%*#0$!!*0.!,.!*!1.ĥ.!!(*!.+10!!1/!+ 0$!('+/0%(%05ċ 3/+*!+0$+/!,!+,(!3$+,,(%! +.+/0$0 % *+0 ü0)5%*0!.!/0/!1/! !(%!2! 1((ġ0%)!+ !-1(! /!1.%05ċ $%(!!%*#(% ġ+û%/*+005,%((5+*/% !.! %(1.!Č !(0%03/!1/!%0 $,,!*! 03%!0+/ 3/*ŏ00.1(5,//%+*0!+10ċ !(00$!('+,//%+* 3/3$0) !)!*!/50.#!0+.0$!ü./0.+1* +(5+û/%*+0$/!/ċ .+)0$!/!!4,!.%!*!/ČI learned that doing something you are passionate about outside the bounds of a traditional job can lead to more stability. $%/%/ !1/!5+1$2!0$!,+3!.0+#!0)+.!3+.'ċ+1.!%*+*0.+(+5+1. ).'!0%*#* (%!*0-1%/%0%+*ċ+1* 1/05+1.,.%%*#* +û!.%*#/0+ )0$0$!/1,,(5* !)* 3%0$%*5+1.%* 1/0.5ċ+13%((!0$!+*!0+!*/1.! 5+1.+3*/1!//ċ 2662 Kristi Hines freelance writer, ghostwriter and professional blogger, Kristi Hines Media.

The stability of your career
is under your control. *Ƶ,.%(ĂĀāąČĂċăą)%((%+*Ƶ)!.%*/(!00$!%. +/2+(1*0.%(5ġ0$0Ě/0$!$%#$!/0 /%*!0$!ĂĀĀĊ +3*01.*ċ http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonnazar/2013/09/09/16-surprising-statistics-about-small-businesses/

Tune out the noise and
find your instinct. Caroline Ghosn co-founder CEO, Levo League

Tune out the noise and
find your instinct. Trust your instinct. And if you can't tell what your instinct is telling you, learn how to peel back the noise in your life that is keeping you from hearing it. $!%(1.!/0$05+1!05+1./!(1,+2!..!0$!+*!/3$!.! 5+1!4,!.%!*! 3.*%*#/%#*/* *+**!00$! +0/ '3. /0!.0$!0ċ Ƶ/*!*0.!,.!*!1.Č0$!(0%01 !+%(1.!* +/1!//%/ %.!0(5+..!(0! 0+,!+,(!ċ )#.+3%*#)+.!* )+.! 00!*0%2!0+)5ü./0%*/0%*0/Č!2!*% *ŏ01/0%50$!)Č/0$!5 ,,(50+,!+,(!ċ Caroline Ghosn co-founder CEO, Levo League

A successful business requires 100%
attention, everything else is a distraction. Jayson DeMers Founder CEO, Audiencebloom

A successful business requires 100%
attention, everything else is a distraction. Ƶ+1003+5!./#+Č 3/.1**%*#)5+),*5/)++0$(5* /1!//1((5ċ$%*#/3!.!#+%*#/+/3%))%*#(5Č%*0Č0$0 !% ! +1( ! %0!(!//0%)!0+.1**%*#)5+),*5* %*/0! /,!* )+.! 0%)!3+.'%*#+**!3/0.01,+.3$%$ 3/.!((5!4%0! ċ /0.0! /,!* %*#)+.!0%)!+*0$!*!3/0.01,Č/%03/*!3* %*0!.!/0%*#ċ +/0+((Č%03/1*3+.'%*#+**!32!*01.!ċ !*3$%(!Č)5+.%#%*(+),*5+*0%*1! 0+ +1/0ü*!Č100$0ŏ/3$0 (%* ! )!ċ1**%*#+),*5Ŏ1/0ü*!Ŏ%/*+03$0*!*0.!,.!*!1.ŏ/ +%/ċ1!//1(!*0.!,.!*!1./ +*ŏ0 +0$!)%*%)1)+.0$!%.+),*5Ď 0$!5+*/0*0(53+.'0+#.+3%0Č!2+(2!%0Č* ,.!,.!%0+.0$!101.!ċ Jayson DeMers Founder CEO, Audiencebloom CONTINUeD -

A successful business requires 100%
attention, everything else is a distraction. Because I was splitting my team between the two startups, growth /0((! 0)5ü./0+),*5Č* % *ŏ0$2!!*+1#$0%)!0+ ! %0!0+ the new startup to make it successful. $!/!+* 2!*01.!!2!*01((5%(! Č* /0+,,! 3+.'+*%0ċ$!+.%#%*( 2!*01.!ČƵ1 %!*!ǫ(++)Ĩ3$%$ /0%((3+.'+*1((ġ0%)!0+ 5ĩ%/*+3 /0.+*#!.0$*!2!.Č* #.+3%*#-1%'(53%0$)51((00!*0%+*0+3. ċ (!.*! 0$0/1!//1(2!*01.!.!-1%.!/āĀĀŌ00!*0%+*Č+1/Č* !û+.0ċ!+* .52!*01.!/*!! 1((ġ0%)!)*#!.+.!(/!0$!5ŏ((1/0 %/0.05+1* !.%(5+1.!4%/0%*#!û+.0/%5+1.!*ŏ0.!1(ċ Jayson DeMers Founder CEO, Audiencebloom

PART II:
BUILDING
YOUR TEAM

Finding success is much easier
as a team. Shane Snow Co-Founder, Contently

Finding success is much easier
as a team. $!%##!/0(!//+* ŏ2!(!.*! 0$!$. 35%/!*0.!,.!*!1./$%,%/)1$ !/%!.3$!*5+1ŏ.!*+0 +%*#%0(+*!ċPartners whose skills complement 5+1./* 3$+)5+10.1/0+),(!0!(5)'!0$! %û!.!*!!03!!*%# success and small, or between success and failure. Ƶ* 0).+(!2!(Č/1,,+.0!./ġġ3$!0$!.%*2!/0+./Č 2+0!/Č communities--make it easier to do huge things than small. +#!00$0 '%* +/1,,+.05+1*!! 0+0!((%#/0+.50$0,!+,(!*!(%!2!%*ċ 5ü./0/!2!.(/0.01,,.+!0/+)! +./,100!.! +10!1/! 0('! /)((* % *ŏ0#0$!./1,,+.0ċ *(1 ! %*)5(%/0+ý+,/3$03/ !//!*0%((5,.+0+ġ%*0!.!/0ċ *Č % (+30$0+*!ē Shane Snow Co-Founder, Contently

The quality of your team
will make or break you. Kiran Bellubbi Founder CEO, Applauze

The quality of your team
will make or break you. $!*5+1%(0/+)!0$%*#ġ/55+1.,.+ 10 +!/*ŏ0/(!0+0$! (!2!(5+1!4,!0! Č.!2!*1!//(1),Č+.5+1..0!+#.+30$/0((/ġ #.!00!)/1/!0$!%./$.! !4,!.%!*!0+ü#1.!+103$03!*0 3.+*#* !2!(+,/+(10%+*0$0#!*!.0!/.!/1(0/!2!*!00!.0$* ,.!2%+1/(50$+1#$0,+//%(!ċ Success is contingent on teams that are persistent, trust each other and learn from their failures. Kiran Bellubbi Founder CEO, Applauze

The quality of your team
will make or break you. +0!*0%()!)!./3$+.!.!+))!* ! +. ,+/%0%+*.!ĂċĆ0%)!/)+.!(%'!(50+!01((5 -1(%ü! 0$*/!(ġ,,(%*0/ċ Kiran Bellubbi Founder CEO, Applauze

Iterate for different learning styles
across your company. Jonathan Franchell Founder Principal, ironpaper

Iterate for different learning styles
across your company. %*%0%((5%(! 0.!0%*#*! 10%+*,.+#.)+.0.%*%*#)5 !),(+5!!/ċ 5#+(3/0+.!0!*+*#+%*#0.%*%*#,.+#.)0 .+*,,!.+.0!))!)!./0+#%**!3/'%((/0$0+1( !,,(%! 0+(%!*0,.+!0/ċ .!0! .+//0.%*%*# +1)!*0+10(%*%*#/'%((/ *!!//.5+.).'!0%*#Č3! !2!(+,)!*0* !/%#*ċ $!!4,!00%+*3/0$0!2!.50!))!)!.3+1( $2!%*ġ !,0$ 0.%*%*#%*0$!%..!/,!0%2!ü!( +,.0%!Č3$%(!$2%*#/% 0.%*%*#%*!2!.5+0$!. %/%,(%*!.!(!2*00+0$!+),*5ċ Jonathan Franchell Founder Principal, ironpaper CONTINUeD -

Iterate for different learning styles
across your company. $!,.+#.)!((/$+.0+%0ŏ/+!0%2!$+3!2!./%03//+)!0$%*# #%2!*0+!),(+5!!/0+#+35* /01 5+*0$!%.+3** //1$ 3/*+0%*0!#.0! %*0+0$!(%!* 1(01.!+0$!+),*5#.!1((5ċ 2!.5+*!%*0$!+),*5+),(!0! 0$!)%*%)1).!-1%.!)!*0/+ 0$!+),*5Č10)*5 % *+0.!0%*+.+),.!$!* 0$!)0!.%(/ċ 3/%*%0%((5 %/+1.#! 3%0$0$!%(1.!+0$!ü./0! 10%+* ,.+#.)3%0$%*0$!+),*5ċWhat I learned after was just how %),+.0*0!%*#%0!.0%2!* %*0!.0%2!3%0$)5,,.+$3+1( be to the education program's success. *!! ! 0+1%( )+.! %*0!.0%2!,.+#.)Č3%0$+0$,//%2!* 0%2!(!.*%*# ,,.+$!/Č0'%*#%*0++1*0 %û!.!*0(!.*%*#/05(!/ċ Jonathan Franchell Founder Principal, ironpaper

Disagreement and conflict are healthy.
Rand Fishkin Co-Founder, Moz Inbound.org

Disagreement and conflict are healthy.
+.5!./Č)5 +)* .*%(%*#+*/1(0*5ċ!3!*0()+/0ĸĆĀĀČĀĀĀ%*0+ !0Č 1%( %*#1/%*!//0$0ŏ//1,,+/! 0+.!-1%.!2!.5(%00(!1,.+*0%*2!/0)!*0ċ 03/ /!+#.+1,0$%*'ġ3!Ĩ* 0$!!3,!+,(!3!$%.! ĩ0$+1#$0(%'!* % *ŏ0-1!/0%+* !$+0$!.ċ %(1.!ġ2!.5$./$%(1.!ġ01#$0)!0$0you cannot surround yourself with yes )!*ŎĨ+.Ŏ5!/3+)!*Ŏĩċ%/#.!!)!*0* +*ý%0.!$!(0$5ċ$!5.!0!/0.+*#!.Č better decisions, and more exploration of the risks and opportunities. Ƶ0 +60+ 5Č0$!.!ŏ//)(((! !./$%,#.+1,0$0$/(+0+$!(0$5 %/#.!!)!*0 * +*ý%0ċ$!*Č3!((#!0+*0$!/)!,#!+103$0ŏ/#+%*#0+$,,!*Č* 3! ,1./1!%0/1*%ü! 0!)ċ

/05!.Č +6ŏ/.!2!*1!Ĩ((.+).!1..%*#/+03.!/1/.%,0%+*/ĩ3/*!.(5ĸăĀ))Č * 3!+2!.ĂāČĀĀĀ1/0+)!./ċ 0ŏ/!!*(+*#Č,%*1(+1.*!5Č100$+/!!.(5%(1.!/
Ĩ* !2!*0$!%(1.!/3!)'!!2!.53!!'0$!/! 5/ĩ$2!$!(,! 1/+*0%*1! 0+#!0!00!.ċ Rand Fishkin Co-Founder, Moz Inbound.org

Disagreement and conflict are healthy.
ĉĆŌ+!4!10%2!/$ +*!.*/3%0$0$!%.+),*5 0$00$!53!.!.% 0+.%/!Č+10+!.+0$! +*ý%00$03+1( !*/1!ċ http://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_dare_to_disagree.html

Don't fail alone, find talented
rockstars. Sandi Krakowski PresidenT Founder, A real Change international inc sandpaper tablet INC

Don't fail alone, find talented
rockstars. %*#(!%##!/0(!//+*.+)%(1.!%*)5.!!.čI didn't ask for help 3$!* 3//01'* 1/0/0.1##(! (+*#0.5%*#0+ü#1.!0$%*#/+10ċ 2%*#,+3!.1(,!+,(!(+*#/% !+)!* 0!)+!40.!)!(5 0(!*0! .+'/0./$/*+0+*(5$*#! )5(%!10(/+)51/%*!//ċ +*ŏ0#+%0(+*!ē%* .+'/0./* 1(ü((5+1. !/0%*5ċ Sandi Krakowski PresidenT Founder, A real Change international inc sandpaper tablet INC

PART III:
FINDING YOUR
DIRECTION

Agree upon the direction of
your company from the beginning with key stakeholders. Evan White PresidenT, Evan White PR

Agree upon the direction of
your company from the beginning with key stakeholders. ǫ!/1.!5+1ŏ.!(%*! 1,3%0$((0$!+0$!.+ġ+1* !./!+.!5+1 1),%*0+0$! !!,!* ċ *,/0.+(!/+)%*!Č0+++0!* % ,!+,(!$2! %û!.!*0% !/ on where they saw the trajectory of the company going, and if you're not on the same page it might not end as well as you had hoped for. Evan White PresidenT, Evan White PR

Avoid a Field of Dreams
mentality. Melisa Singh Founder, Storyshelter

Avoid a Field of Dreams
mentality. $!*3!!(%!2!3$+(!$!.0! (50$0+1.,.+ 10%/#+%*#0+)!!0)+. *!! Č/! +*,!./+*(!4,!.%!*!Č3!2+% 0'%*#0$!*!!//.5/0!,/0+ +0$+.+1#$).'!0.!/!.$0+*(56!3$!0$!.+.*+0+1. .!)/$+1( !+)!.!(%05ċ !(($!.+100!2! +/ %/)%//%*#).'!0.!/!.$* 0$!*+0%+*0$0 1/0+)!./'*+33$00$!53*0ċ 3+1( .#1!0$00$%/%/*%//1!+ /!)*0%/ċ +/10%(%6! 3$0ŏ/)+/0%),+.0*0+100$!$!.0+).'!0 .!/!.$č+*/1)!.%*/%#$0ċ Melisa Singh Founder, Storyshelter CONTINUeD -

Avoid a Field of Dreams
mentality. !'*!3,!+,(!3*0! +),10!./103!.!.1/0.0! 5$+3 %þ1(00$!5 3!.!0+1/!ċ!)!0+0$%/1* !./0* %*#5,5%*#00!*0%+*0++*/1)!. !$2%+..0$!.0$*/'%*#0$!Ŏ3$0 +5+13*0Ŏ-1!/0%+*ċ $!.!%/%# %û!.!*!!03!!*1%( %*#,.+ 103!//1)!,!+,(!*!! and being in tune with what our customers may actually desireČ!2!*%0$!5 +*ŏ0'*+3%0ċ Melisa Singh Founder, Storyshelter

Your company's focus comes with
trial and error. Dan Greenberg Co-founder CEO, Sharethrough

Your company's focus comes with
trial and error. *!+)5%##!/0(!//+*/%*1%( %*#1/%*!//)!%*0$!ü./05!.+ $.!0$.+1#$ġġ (!.*! 0$05+1*ŏ01%( 1/%*!//3%0$03+!*0!./+#.2%05ċ +1.!*0!.+#.2%05%/*ŏ05+1.,.+ 10Č+.5+1.1/0+)!./Č+.5+1.).'!0ċ0$!.Č 5+1.0.1!!*0!.+#.2%05%//+)!3$!.!00$!%*0!./!0%+*+3$05+1ŏ.! ,//%+*0!+10Ő3$0,.+(!)5+13*00+/+(2!Ő3$50$0,.+(!))00!./ċ +.$.!0$.+1#$0+ 5Č+1.!*0!.+#.2%05%/0+)+*!0%6!0$!)+ !.*%*0!.*!0 3%0$)!*%*#1(+*0!*0Č!5+* +*+4%+1/ /ċ!!(%!2!0$0 2!.0%/%*#*! $%#$-1(%05* 2(1(!0+0$!1/!.3$+/!!/%0Č0$0 /*!(!*Č* 3!((ġ%*0!#.0! 0+0$!/%0!0$!5(%2!+*ċ *0$!!.(5 5/+$.!0$.+1#$Č3! % *ŏ0$2!0$0(.%05++1/Č* %00++'1/ !35!./0+(!.*0$0(!//+*ċ Dan Greenberg Co-founder CEO, Sharethrough

Pay attention to your customers
first. Jon Beekman founder CEO, Man Crates

Pay attention to your customers
first. $+1#$)5,.!2%+1/+),*53/1(0%)0!(5%(1.!Č%001#$0)!2!.52(1(! (!//+*č!)*%((5+1/! +*5+1.1/0+)!./ċ !$ #.!0% !* 0$!/).0!/00!$0!)Č103!!((%*(+2!3%0$+1. 0!$*+(+#5* +1.+*!,0+3$00$!1/0+)!.3*0! Č.0$!.0$*01((5 0('%*#0++*/1)!./0+$!.0$!%.!! ' %.!0(5ċ $!*3! % ü*((5$!.1/0+)!.!! 'Č3!3!.!0++. +3*0$!.+ 0+ $*#!+1.% !* 0$!+),*5%(! ċ %0$ *ƫ.0!/ČI treat customers as co-creators helping to direct the company. $%/1/0+)!.!! '(++,%/+.!,.0++1.Ƶġġ%0ŏ/,.0+3$+3!.!/ +),*5ċ 03/*!4,!*/%2!(!//+*Č10,.%!(!//+*!%*)5!4,!.%!*!ċ Jon Beekman founder CEO, Man Crates

Pay attention to your customers
first. 0%/ćġĈ0%)!/)+.!+/0(50+00.0*!3 1/0+)!.0$*%0%/0+.!0%**!4%/0%*#1/0+)!. White House Office of Consumer Affairs

Try to be incredible at
one thing. Brian Wallace President, NowSourcing.

Try to be incredible at
one thing. +1ŏ.!#+%*#0+!,.!005#++ 0(+0+0$%*#/ċ*!5+1ü* /+)!0$%*#5+1(+2!* */(!5+1.1/%*!//0+Č5+1ŏ2!+1* %0ċ +.1/Č%03/%*+#.,$%/ċ! % *ŏ0#!00$!.!+2!.*%#$0* %03/ !0!.)%*0%+*0!.+( %*#%*!3/,!%(0%!/%*0+/+)!0$%*##.!0ċ Brian Wallace President, NowSourcing.

PART IV:
GAINING
TRACTION

Push new ideas and projects
forward. Neal Schaffer Social business coach, consultant, trainer, speaker, author of “Maximize your social”

Push new ideas and projects
forward. Ƶ/!*0.!,.!*!1./Č+1.(%!*/+)!0%)!//!!)(%'!%0%/1((+%(1.!/ !1/!+0$!+*/0*0*!! 0+!4,!.%)!*0* +*!30$%*#/3%0$+10 !.+%(%*#ċ$0%/%),+.0*0Č0$+1#$Č%/0$03!(!.*.+)+1.%(1.!/ċ 5%(1.!$/!!*Č* %*/+)!35/+*0%*1!/0+!Č0$!%(1.!0++1/ċ

!0)!!4,(%*ċ !((+)!1,3%0$% !/+**!31/%*!//+.*!3,.+ 10* *!!
0+ !4!10!%*0$!.%#$00%)!%*0$!.%#$035ċ$!,.+(!)%/0$03!(/+$2! Ŏ(!#5Ŏ1/%*!//Č.!(0%+*/$%,/Č+.%*0!.0%+*/0$0/+)!0%)!/'!!,1/ 35.+)+1/%*#+* +%*#0$!.%#$00$%*#/0+,1/$*!3% !/* ,.+!0/+.3. ċ CONTINUeD - Neal Schaffer Social business coach, consultant, trainer, speaker, author of “Maximize your social”

Push new ideas and projects
forward. +)!0%)!/%0)!*//%),(501.*%*# +3*0$%*#/0$03!1/! 0+!,0+. !% %*#0+/%),(51*,(1#.+)+0$!.0%2%0%!/ċǫ100$!)!//#!%/(!.č %0$+10(!.* ! %0! +1/Č3$0!2!.5+13*00+ +/* entrepreneur will either not be acted upon in the right timing or not %),(!)!*0! /!û!0%2!(5/%0+1( $2!!!*/$+1( 5+1$2!$ the focus. 0ŏ/,.!005/%),(!+*!,0Č10/+)!0%)!/0$!/%),(!/00$%*#/ .!0$!$. !/00+%),(!)!*0+* 5%* 5+10,,.+$ċ CONTINUeD - Neal Schaffer Social business coach, consultant, trainer, speaker, author of “Maximize your social”

The worst decision is indecision.
RYAN HARWOOD CEO, PureWow

The worst decision is indecision.
*!+0$!%##!/0(!//+*/ ŏ2!(!.*! %/*ŏ0.+),.0%1(.%(1.!10.+))%//! +,,+.01*%05č0$!3+./0 !%/%+*%/%* !%/%+*ċ$!*5+1ŏ.!*!*0.!,.!*!1.Č5+1$2!0+ )+2!-1%'(5* #+3%0$5+1.#10ċ 5+1 +*ŏ0Č5+1+1( )%//+10+*0$%*#/0$0* help your business immensely. 0*!*!.2!ġ3.'%*#10%0ŏ/%),+.0*00+#!0,.+ 10/+100$!.!* 1/! 00+/!! 3$!0$!.%0ŏ/3+.'%*#ċ 0$%*'0$!!/0,.+!//%/0$%/č!(!/!Č!2%!3Č,0%)%6!Č 0!.0!Č !,!0ċ Ƶ(/+Č00$!!* +0$! 50$!.!%/*+.%#$035+.+*!350+.1*1/%*!//ċ$!*5+1 /0.0+),*5Č5+10$%*'0$!.!%/.+ ),+.$+(5#.%(0+/1!//ċ$!.!%/*ŏ0ċ 1/! 0+!/++1/! +* +%*#0$%*#/,.!%/!(5(%'!+0$!./3$+$ /1!//!+.!)!0+ 2+% $%00%*#/*#/Č100$0*1(0%)0!(5$+( 5+1'ċƵ/'-1!/0%+*/Č-1%.! )!*0+./Č#0$!.'*+3(! #!* 0$!*)'!*! 10! !%/%+** +3$0ŏ/!/0+. 5+1.1/%*!//ċ RYAN HARWOOD CEO, PureWow

Start now! Wade Foster CEO
Co-founder, Zapier

Start now! $!%##!/0(!//+*(!.*! %/Ŏ/0.0*+3ŎċƵ()+/0!2!.5 !%/%+*
ŏ2!) ! 0$0ŏ/(! 0+/+)!0$%*#3!/+)!3+1( $2!!!*35)+.!3!/+)! had I simply decided to start sooner. ǫ5/0.0%*#*+3Č5+1(/+.!(!0+ü#1.!+103$03+.'/* 3$0 +!/*ŏ03+.'0$0)1$)+.!-1%'(5ċ+%0!+)!/!/%!.0+10+10 0$%*#/0$0 +*ŏ03+.'* +)+.!+3$0 +!/3+.'ċ Wade Foster CEO Co-founder, Zapier

Being adaptable is the real
test. Cerrie Kerpen CEO Co-founder, Likeable Media

Being adaptable is the real
test. *!+0$!%##!/0(!//+*/ ŏ2!(!.*! %/*ŏ0.+),.0%1(.%(1.!10.+))%//! +,,+.01*%05č0$!3+./0 !%/%+*%/%* !%/%+*ċ$!*5+1ŏ.!*!*0.!,.!*!1.Č5+1$2!0+ )+2!-1%'(5* #+3%0$5+1.#10ċ 5+1 +*ŏ0Č5+1+1( )%//+10+*0$%*#/0$0* help your business immensely. 0*!*!.2!ġ3.'%*#10%0ŏ/%),+.0*00+#!0,.+ 10/+100$!.!* 1/! 00+/!! 3$!0$!.%0ŏ/3+.'%*#ċ 0$%*'0$!!/0,.+!//%/0$%/č!(!/!Č!2%!3Č,0%)%6!Č 0!.0!Č !,!0ċ Ƶ(/+Č00$!!* +0$! 50$!.!%/*+.%#$035+.+*!350+.1*1/%*!//ċ$!*5+1 /0.0+),*5Č5+10$%*'0$!.!%/.+ ),+.$+(5#.%(0+/1!//ċ$!.!%/*ŏ0ċ 1/! 0+!/++1/! +* +%*#0$%*#/,.!%/!(5(%'!+0$!./3$+$ /1!//!+.!)!0+ 2+% $%00%*#/*#/Č100$0*1(0%)0!(5$+( 5+1'ċƵ/'-1!/0%+*/Č-1%.! )!*0+./Č#0$!.'*+3(! #!* 0$!*)'!*! 10! !%/%+** +3$0ŏ/!/0+. 5+1.1/%*!//ċ Cerrie Kerpen CEO Co-founder, PureWow

Be patient and adjust on
the fly. Joe Pulizzi Founder, Content Marketing Institute Author, Epic content marketing

Be patient and adjust on
the fly. %./0Č,0%!*!Č,0%!*!Č,0%!*!ċ 3/3%0$%*ć)+*0$,!.%+ +#%2%*# 1,* #+%*#'0++.,+.0!(%!* 0$!*/!!%*#0$!1/%*!//0'!+ûċ !+* Č0$!,(*5+1/0.0+103%0$%/*!2!.0$!,(*0$001((53+.'/ċ !(%!2!%)+.!!*0.!,.!*!1./3!*0%*3%0$0$000%01 !0$!53+1( ! )+.!/1!//1(ċ0.01,/0!* 0+((%*(+2!3%0$0$!%.,.+ 10Č3$!*0$!5 /$+1( !)+.!+1/! +*1%( %*#(+5(1 %!*!Č(%/0!*%*#Č* 1/0%*#0$!+û!.%*#+*0$!ý51*0%(%00'!/ċ Joe Pulizzi Founder, Content Marketing Institute Author, Epic content marketing

Letting go of the need
to look perfect. Lewis Howes Creator, The School of greatness athelte extrodinaire

Letting go of the need
to look perfect. 1/! 0+!/+worried about how things looked0$0 3/.!0%*#* $+3 0$+1#$0,!+,(!3+1( ,!.!%2!)!% Ŏ)!//! 1,Ŏ3%0$/+)!0$%*#ċ .10$%/Č0$0!*!.#50++')!35.+)(%2%*#)52%/%+** .!0%*# something that people were inspired by. Joe Pulizzi Founder, Content Marketing Institute Author, Epic content marketing

PART V:
DEALING WITH FAILURE

Success is not the natural
state of things. TED RUBIN ACTING CMO, Brand Innovators

Success is not the natural
state of things. The most important lesson I learned about failure is that without it, you do not truly understand success. $!*/1!//+)!/0++!/%(5+.0++!.(5%*0$! ,.+!//Č3!+)!0+!(%!2!%0%/0$!*01.(/00!+0$%*#/Č* 3$!*%(1.! +)!/0(0!. 0!%*/+)!+.)+.*+0$!.3!.!)+/0+0!*100!.(5 1*,.!,.! ċ 5%(1.!/$2!+,!*! )5!5!/0+%*0.+/,!0%+** (!.*%*#0$0$/) !)! !00!.0$!.Č.+0$!.Č.%!* Č)!*0+.ċċċ!00!.,!./+*ċ $%/%/*+00+/55+1/$+1( /!!'+10%(1.!Č)+.!+10$+3%),+.0*0%0%/0+ /0.!0$5+1./!(* *+0!.% +)'%*#)%/0'!/ċ!*!! 0+!),+3!.+1. !),(+5!!/Č//+%0!/Č.%!* /* $%( .!*0+1* !./0* 0$0%(1.!%/ %*.! %(52(1(!3$!*5+1)'!(!.*%*#,.0+0$!,.+!//ċ TED RUBIN ACTING CMO, Brand Innovators

Success is not the natural
state of things. ąĆŌ+/0.01,/(/01/0ć)+*0$/ !+.!(+/%*#0$!%. ++./ http://visual.ly/start-ups-exposed

Look at failures as merely
mistakes. Jim Belosic CEO, SHORTSTACK

Look at failures as merely
mistakes. Ŏ%(Ŏ,.+(5+*!3!!'Č)5!!2!*+*! 5Č 1/00$%*'+ 0$!)/)%/0'!/Č*+0%(1.!/ċ ŏ(()'!0$!3.+*# !%/%+*+.#+ +3*,0$0$0+1.1/0+)!./ +*ŏ03*0!1/! 3/*ŏ0 (%/0!*%*#Č* 0$!* $2!0+'0.'ċ +/0,!+,(!/!!0$!3+. %(1.!* 0$%*'Ŏ1*.!+2!.(!ċŎ */0! ČI see failures as mini test results. I tried something, it didn't work, so let's gather up what we learned and try again. ŏ2!*!2!.(!0)5 1/%*!//#!00+,+%*0+%(1.!Č ŏ2!/!0)5#1% !(%*!/* ,%2+0% 3!/0.0$! %*#0+3. //+)!0$%*#0$0ŏ/%(%*#ċ 01((51/03.+0!#1!/0.0%(!+.$! 1/!+100$!% !0$0 5+1$2!0+%(0+/1!! Č3$%$ +*ŏ0#.!!3%0$ċ Jim Belosic CEO, SHORTSTACK

Use data to help fail
less often. Larry Kim Founder wordstream

Use data to help fail
less often. %(1.!/.!1*2+% (!* .% %1(+1/(5+/0(5+./0.0ġ1,/3%0$ (%00(!0%)!* )+*!5ċ++0!*/0.0ġ1,/%*2!/0$1#!.!/+1.!/ %*0+%#,.+ 10+.).'!0%*#%*%0%0%2!/ċ 01.((5Č3!3*00+!(%!2!0$0+1.$. 3+.'$/,% +ûČ5!0 0$!.!(%05%/0$02!.5/)((*1)!.+0$+/!,.+!0/3%(( 01((5,.+ 1!(.#!/(!Č(/0%*#!*!ü0/ġ)+/03%(($2!*+ %),00((+*5+1.1/%*!//Č* /+)!3%((!2!*)'!0$%*#/ 3+./!ċ The key to success therefore is in trying to fail slightly less often by using more data rather than gut feel in the project planning phases, and not let projects that fail to meet their success criteria linger around for too long. Larry Kim Founder wordstream

Use data to help fail
less often. /%*# 00+ .%2!1/%*!// !%/%+*/*.!/1(0%** %*.!)!*0(ĂąāŌ.!01.*+*%*2!/0)!*0ċ http://www.business2community.com/marketing/go-small-or-go-home-why-niche-marketing-works-0429962#qtI3daASWkG2SBEp.99

Use your negative experiences to
regroup. Michael A. Stelzner CEO Founder, Social Media Examiner Mykidsadventures.com

Use your negative experiences to
regroup. $!%##!/0%(1.! !2!.$ 3/3$!* %*2!/0! %*ĸĂĀĀĀ,.+#.)0$0 ,.+)%/! % /%),(5+((+3! 0$!%./1##!/0%+*/ 3+1( )'!0+*+)+*!5ċ % ,.!%/!(53$00$!5/1##!/0! * %03/$1#!%(1.!ċƵ* !0$%((5 !(0 %/#1/0%*#ċ$!.!01.*.0!3/+û0$!$.0/* %03/ %/)(!4,!.%!*!ċ 1/! ((0$+/!*!#0%2!!4,!.%!*!/0+.!#.+1,* ü#1.! +10350+(1*$ !2!*0/0$0ü03%0$%*)5+)+.06+*!ċ$0!* ! 1,$,,!*%*#3/0$!%.0$ +)5+*(%*!/1))%0/ċ2!*01((5+%( ! %1!//1))%03/+.*ċ 03//1$$1#!/1!//0$0 (1*$! *!3!4,!.%)!*0(3!/%0!((! +%( ! %4)%*!.ċ+)'%*ĂĀĀĊċ1.*! +10 3/+*0+/+)!0$%*#ċ+ 5 )%((%+*/+,!+,(!2%/%0+1./%0!* %0%/+*!+0$!(.#!/01/%*!//(+#/+*0$! ,(*!0ċ+)+.(+0$!/0+.5člet your failures clear your deck, much like a forest ü.!Č/+*!3% !/*!+.*ċ+1*!2!.'*+3Č+*!+0$+/!% !/)%#$001.* out to be a mighty oak! Michael A. Stelzner CEO Founder, Social Media Examiner Mykidsadventures.com

Mistakes will surface new opportunities.
Meridith Valiando Rojas CEO Founder, Digitour media

Mistakes will surface new opportunities.
$!#.!0!/0(!//+* (!.*! 3/0$0)%/0'!/3%((*+0!* 5+1.1/%*!//ċIf you are *%)(!* 3%((%*#0+(%/0!*0++*/0.10%2!.%0%%/)5+1*!4!(5(!.*%*#* !2+(2%*#ċ *)5!4,!.%!*!/*!*0.!,.!*!1.Č0$!.!$2!!!*0%)!/Č!/,!%((5!.(5 +*Č3$!* !*+1*0!.! %//1!/0$0,,!.! 0+!%*/1.)+1*0(!ċ +.!4),(!Č3$!* )*#! *.0%/0+*ƫ,%0(!+. /0$0#+0 .+,,! Č !(0(%'! !2/00%*#%(1.!ċǫ10%*0.10$Č%0/$+3! )!$+32%0(/+%()! %%/0+.!'%*#0(!*0 %*0$%/*!33+.( +. !.ċ *!2!.%(! 3%0$0$0,.+!0Č 3+1( *+0$2!.!(%6! 0$! %),+.0*!+/+%()! %* %0/%),0+*0. %0%+*()! %ċ .+)0$0 !2!(+,! *!3/!0+/'%((/Č3$%$(! )!0++ġ+1* %*#%#%+1.ċ%0$ (+0+,!./%/0!*!* 3%((%*#*!//0+!ý!4%(!Č3!3!.!(!0++2!.+)!+/0(!/ * ,.+2!3!.!.* 3%0$/05%*#,+3!.ċ $2!(!.*! *+00+#!00++!4%0! +. 0++ !!0! / 1%( )51/%*!//ċ$ 5%/(%'!.+((!.+/0!.ü((! 3%0$1,/Č +3*/Č0$.%((/Č* 1*!4,!0! 01.*/ċ Meridith Valiando Rojas CEO Founder, Digitour media

Mistakes will surface new opportunities.
1(%/3/%(%*#/+%(*!03+.'%*#/%0!+.0$!#5+))1*%05ċ Ƶ0!.%(! .!2),//#5!++'Č#5!(,* #5.+1,+*Č +1* !./ /+*+( !.#* ǫ. +. $!(($))!.01.*! 1(%/%*0+ċ+)Čý/$/(!/%0!/,!%(%/%*#%* !/%#*!.* 2%*0#!%0!)/3%0$+2!.Ć)%((%+*)!)!./ċ http://www.inc.com/brilliant-failures/3-mistakes-that-built-companies_pagen_2.html

Welcome detours and failures with
open arms. Ekaterina Walter CMO, Househappy, Author of NYT bestseller “think like zuck”

Welcome detours and failures with
open arms. (!.*! 0$03$05+1)%#$00$%*'%/0$!3+./00$%*#0$0!2!.$,,!*! 0+5+1%*0$0 )+)!*0)%#$001((501.*+100+!0$!!/00$%*#0$0!2!.$,,!*! 0+5+1ċ * .!+1*0*1)!.+0$!%*/0*!/3$!* 0$+1#$00$!3+.( 3/!* %*#0++*(5(1#$+10%0 /!2!.(5!./(0!.* 0$*')5(1'5/0./0$00$0ŏ/$+30$%*#/01.*! +10ċ *!0$%*#5+13%((*+0%!+10/1!//1(,!+,(!Č!/,!%((5,!+,(!3%0$*!*0.!,.!*!1.%( /0.!'Č%/0$00$!5welcome detours and failures as a natural part of the journey 0$!5.!+*ċ ŏ2!0('! +100$%/%*)+.! !0%(%*)5ġ(%'!0('$!.!ċ +3$!* )!*0+.5+1*#,!+,(! 0!((0$!)ü./0* +.!)+/00+*!2!.-1!/0%+*0$!%.,//%+* * 0$!%.%(%050+#!00$%*#/ +*!ċ 5+1$2!0$!+*ü !*!%*5+1./!(Č%*3$!.!5+1.! #+%*#Č* 3$05+1.!0.5%*#0+1%( Č0$%/%/3$03%((#!05+10$.+1#$0+1#$0%)!/ċƵ* 0$0 %/((%0ŏ((!ġ0+1#$0%)!/0$05+1*+2!.+)!Č*+0Ƶ.)#! +*ċ +%001.*/+100$00$!(%$hŎ$!*+*! ++.(+/!/Č*+0$!. ++.+,!*/Ŏ%/)+.!0$* (%$h0!.((ċ+11/0*!! 0+!+*ü !*0!*+1#$0+/!!0$0+0$!.+,!* ++.ċƵ* 0$0 .!-1%.!/0$05+1*+0/0.!00$!(+/! ++.0++(+*#ċ Ekaterina Walter CMO, Househappy, Author of NYT bestseller “think like zuck”

Get told no on a
daily basis. Shafqat Islam CEO, NEWScred

Get told no on a
daily basis. $!/%*#(!%##!/0(!.*%*#+.)!3/0+*+0!.% +%(1.! * 0+01((5!).!%0ċ +.!%),+.0*0(5Č (!.*! 0$05+1 *!! 0+%(Č* +0!*%(+0!*ċ If you aren't being told no on a daily basis, you aren't pushing yourself hard enough or taking enough risks.Ƶ/0!$ !*0.!,.!*!1./Č3!ŏ.!%*0$!1/%*!//+%**+20%+*Č/+%(1.!%/ ,.0+0$!+1.*!5ċ Shafqat Islam CEO, NEWScred

Nothing is as bad as
it seems. Gene Marks President, Marks group

Nothing is as bad as
it seems. 5/%*#(!%##!/0(!//+*%//+)!0$%*#)5 01#$0)!č*+0$%*#%// /%0/!!)/Ĩ100$!*#%**+0$%*#%//#++ /%0/!!)/!%0$!.ĩċ *+0$!.3+. /Č%(1.!%/1/0.!(0%2!ċ $!.!%/%((%+*,!+,(!%* * %Ĩ* ăĂĊČĊĊĊČĊĊĊ,!+,(!%*0$!ċċĩ 3$++1( .!(!//+105+1.%(1.!* %0ŏ/1/0*+0/Ŏ%),+.0*0Ŏ /5+1,.+(50$%*'%0%/ċƵ* *!%0$!..!5+1Ĩ+. ĩċ+.+((3%0$0$! !)+0%+*/Č0$!*#!0'0+3+.'ċƵ* (/+.!)!)!.0$%//)!(!//+* 0$!*!400%)!5+1/1!! * 5+10$%*'((ŏ/#.!0ġ!1/!*+0$%*#ŏ/ /#++ /%0/!!)/!%0$!.ē Gene Marks President, Marks group

Tomorrow is always another day.
Scott gerber Founder, Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) Author of Never get a ‘Real Job’

Tomorrow is always another day.
$!)+/0%),+.0*0,.0+%(%*#%/.!(%6%*#0+)+..+33%((+û!.*+0$!. 5 to get it right. .(%!.%*)5!*0.!,.!*!1.%(.!!.Č 0++'%(1.!/2!.5,!./+*((5ċ *!Ŏ%#%(1.!Ŏ3+1( #!0)! +3*+. 5/Č* %*/+)!%*/0*!/ %)%*%/$! )5+*ü !*!* ,.+ 10%2%05+.3!!'/ċ 03/*ŏ01*0%(0!.)5ü./01/%*!//3!*01* !.* /0.0! )5/!+* ġġ* Č 1(0%)0!(5)5ü./0/1!//1(+),*5ġġ0$0 .!(%6! $+3%),+.0*0%0%/0+0'! %(1.!//(!//+*/(!.*! .0$!.0$*$. '*+'/ċ 5/!+* 1/%*!//3//0.+*#!./.!/1(0+0$!(!//+*/(!.*! +*)5ü./0#+ .+1* ċ+3Č)5+),*%!/minimize the potential for failures by shrinking our downside on any single decision. Ƶ/.!/1(0Č3!#!0'1,/0.+*#!.* /0!. 3$!*3! +!/!0'Č* 0$!/1*1/1((5!* /1,/$%*%*#.%#$0!.%*0$! 5/0++)!/.!/1(0ċ Scott gerber Founder, Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) Author of Never get a ‘Real Job’

Gosh... I’m gonna miss you
guys back on Earth EPILOGUE

EPILOGUE If only there was
some way to stay in touch intergalactically...

EPILOGUE
Hmmmmmmmm...

EPILOGUE

successful entrepreneurs master the art
of customer acquisition. Visit Visit Blog.RReeffeerrrraallCaannddyy..ccoom for more stories about entrepreneurs Adapted from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-honigman/35-tech-entrepreneurs-failure_b_5529254.html CRaf TED BY