August 2022

Being a founder isn’t as glamorous as it may seem from the outside. Sure, we see the successes—the milestones, the partnerships, the growth—but behind all that is a story of resilience, grit, and unwavering determination.

As a co-founder of CLG London, I’ve learned that to be a true entrepreneur, you have to master the art of dusting yourself down when the inevitable challenges come your way. You learn to put on a brave face, even when the weight of everything seems like a lot to carry. You find a way through, because that’s what it takes to keep moving forward.

Every founder has their startup story. It’s the journey that brought them to this point—the moments of doubt, the mistakes made, the lessons learned the hard way. But that’s the beauty of entrepreneurship. It’s not about avoiding failure; it’s about embracing the lessons that come from it.

The truth is, no one talks about the sleepless nights, the constant worry about cash flow, or the struggles of building a customer base. Entrepreneurship thrusts you into a world you’ve never known before, and the path isn’t clearly marked. There’s no map, no guide, no flashlight to light your way.

This past week, I had the privilege of attending a Legacy Club event with fellow entrepreneurs Kane Dowell and William Ferreira. We talked about the hard times—the struggles that everyone who’s been through this journey knows all too well. But you know what was amazing? Despite the weight of those challenges, we were all smiling. We were laughing, sharing our experiences, and realising we’re not alone in this.

In fact, the more we share, the more we see that our struggles are normal. Every founder has faced the tough times—what makes us different is the ability to keep pushing forward. We all find our way, even if it’s not always clear at the beginning.

So, to every entrepreneur out there: remember, you’re never truly alone. We’re all in this together. And when the tough moments come (and they will), just dust yourself off, keep your head high, and know that success is built on resilience.