Learn how business icons like Oprah, Daymond John, and Sara Blakely turned rejection into fuel—and how you can too.
Being resilient—or developing resilience—is something we hear constantly in the world of entrepreneurship. “Never give up.” “Fall down seven times, get up eight.” “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Why is this one trait talked about so much?
I remember the first time I heard the word resilience. It sounded like one of those new-age buzzwords pulled from a self-help book. But I quickly realized it’s far more than a trendy phrase—it’s the backbone of entrepreneurial survival.
Before we dive in, a quick disclaimer: resilience is a complex psychological concept best understood by clinical experts. I’m not a psychologist, and I’m not pretending to be one. But as someone who’s lived through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship—and witnessed many others do the same—I hope to shed some practical light on how this quality plays out in real life.
What is Resilience?
Resilience is like a tree that bends in the wind during a storm but doesn’t break. After the storm passes, it straightens again, perhaps even stronger. For entrepreneurs, it’s the ability to confront adversity, adapt, learn, and come out stronger on the other side.
A good friend of mine saw his first two startups fail. But instead of giving up, he learned from his mistakes and tried again. On his third attempt, he found success. He didn’t rush success, and he didn’t cling to failure. He used it as a springboard.
Oprah Winfrey, who overcame countless personal and professional obstacles, once said:
“Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.”
That’s resilience in action.
The Entrepreneur’s Reality
Contrary to what movies show, entrepreneurship is not a straight line to success. It’s a roller coaster ride full of steep drops, blind curves, and false finishes.
Daymond John, founder of FUBU and a Shark Tank investor, once said:
“The easiest thing to do is complain. The hardest thing is to adapt.”
Daymond started FUBU while working at Red Lobster and mortgaging his house to fund his dream. He was rejected by dozens of stores and nearly went bankrupt more than once. But he didn’t stop—he adapted, kept learning, and kept pushing forward.
Resilience isn’t just about withstanding failure—it’s about integrating the lessons, adjusting your approach, and pressing forward with wisdom and courage.
This journey will test every ounce of your strength. You’ll need emotional intelligence, creativity, and a willingness to take hits without falling apart.
Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, was rejected by countless manufacturers and investors before finally breaking through. Her mantra?
“It’s important to be willing to make mistakes. The worst thing that can happen is you become memorable.”
Resilient entrepreneurs are not always the most talented—they’re simply the ones who refuse to quit.
How to Cultivate Resilience:
- Build Strong Relationships
Even though entrepreneurship often feels lonely, you’re not meant to do this alone.
Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks, said:
“When you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible.”
Build a community of family, mentors, peers, and fellow entrepreneurs. They’ll remind you who you are when you forget.
- Focus on What You Can Control
It’s easy to spiral when markets shift or customers vanish. But don’t waste energy on the uncontrollable.
Jeff Bezos shared this philosophy early on:
“We are stubborn on vision. We are flexible on details.”
Channel your energy into what you can influence—your response, your strategy, your mindset.
- Accept and Adapt
Resistance to change is a recipe for burnout. Adaptability is key.
Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, puts it simply:
“An entrepreneur is someone who jumps off a cliff and builds a plane on the way down.”
If a plan fails, learn and pivot.
- Set Clear and Realistic Goals
Aim high, but be specific. Break big dreams into actionable steps.
Tony Robbins often reminds us:
“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.”
Celebrating small wins along the way will fuel your drive.
- Be Proactive
Don’t wait for things to get better—make them better.
Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur, once said:
“It doesn’t matter how many times you have failed. You only have to be right once.”
Every action you take, even small ones, will build momentum and confidence.
- Explore Yourself
Entrepreneurship is also a journey inward. Use it to better understand your values, fears, and strengths.
Richard Branson said:
“Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.”
But you’ll only recognize them if you know who you are and what matters to you.
- Take Care of Yourself
If your body and mind burn out, your business will follow.
Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post, collapsed from exhaustion before realizing:
“We think, mistakenly, that success is the result of the amount of time we put in. Instead, it’s about the quality of time we put in.”
Sleep. Disconnect. Move your body. You’re your most valuable asset.
- Ask for Help
Let go of the myth that asking for help is weakness.
Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Meta, who famously navigated both personal and professional tragedy, said:
“You are not alone, and you do not have to face this alone.”
Whether it’s a therapist, coach, or trusted mentor—seek support. It’s a sign of strength, not weakness.
There’s no perfect formula for resilience. But if you keep moving forward with purpose, self-awareness, and courage, you will build it.
You don’t have to be born resilient—you can become resilient. And when you do, you won’t just survive as an entrepreneur—you’ll thrive.
