When I decided to invest in my first startup, the word “resilience” was not yet part of my everyday vocabulary. Like many entrepreneurs, I started out full of enthusiasm, envisioning a path of victories and rapid growth.
However, I soon realized that the world of startups is, above all, a constant test of resistance, adaptability and learning.
The journey taught me that resilience is not just an abstract concept; it is a practical and essential virtue.
The beginning is not always glamorous
I thought that all it took was to see someone with an innovative idea to invest in the idea and see a quick financial return. I could not have been more wrong.
Reality has shown me that starting a startup is full of uncertainties and challenges. You have to deal with tight budgets, sleepless nights and, often, with the doubt of “will it work?”.
Resilience, in this context, means staying focused and determined, even when results take time to appear.
When the first “no’s” arrived, it was hard not to get discouraged. But I learned that each setback was an opportunity to improve, adjust, and move on.
Learning from mistakes is essential
One of the greatest lessons of resilience is understanding that mistakes don’t define who you are, but rather how you react to them. There were times when bad decisions made me lose money, time, and even business partners.
Instead of letting myself be paralyzed by the fear of making mistakes, I learned to see mistakes as part of the process. Each failure helped me refine my strategy and better understand my market. Resilience, here, means accepting mistakes as a strict but essential teacher.
Adapting is surviving
The startup market is like an unpredictable tide. What works today may become obsolete tomorrow. For me, resilience is also synonymous with adaptability.
During the pandemic, for example, I had to rethink a lot of things at SEDA College. And that’s when I started to envision teaching English online. That was a time when I had to deal with a true test of resilience.
I confess that these changes were not easy, but they were necessary. That’s why I say that being resilient means not sticking rigidly to a plan when reality demands flexibility.
Strength comes from a support network
I used to believe that entrepreneurship was a lonely journey, but I discovered that resilience is also about asking for help.
Friends and mentors were essential in the most difficult moments. They reminded me of my purpose when I myself began to doubt it.
So, if you are starting your journey as an entrepreneur, surround yourself with people who believe in you and your project. This support network can be the strength you need to keep going.
Resilience is the key to persevering
Starting a startup is a challenging and, at the same time, incredibly rewarding experience. For those who want to embark on this journey, my biggest tip is: cultivate resilience.
It will be your anchor in times of storm and the fuel that will carry you forward when everything seems difficult. Remember: success in a startup does not come only from a brilliant idea, but from the ability to persist, adapt and learn along the way.
