Episode 11: The Role of Failure in Small Business

Entrepreneurs can’t avoid failure, so we have to learn how to deal with it. Most of society puts an extrememely negative meaning into failure, but small business people think about it differently. Our experts take on the subject of failure, what it is, what it means, and how they think about it.

Heidi Miller - A Few Zen Thoughts on Failure
Heidi Miller has put together a few of her thoughts on failure, from a Zen perspective. Most important, learn from your failures.

Phil Gerbyshak - Defining Success and Failure
New contributor Phil Gerbyshak makes his first appearance, helping us to define both success and failure. It’s all up to you, and how you choose to define it. Take inspiration from President Theodore Roosevelt.

Zane Safrit - The Biography of Failure
Special Guest Zane Safrit has been reading and thinking about failure, and about people who have failed. He sees some patterns in overcoming obstacles, making mistakes, and achieving success.
Download Zane’s handout.

Jon Swanson - Understanding Failure on Different Levels
Jon Swanson is thinking about many different levels of failure, personally and in business. Be sure to think about how to really measure failure.

Becky McCray - Redefining Failure
Becky McCray sees great value in failure, as a necessary part of reaching success. She shares a few notable quotes on failure’s role in small business.
Download Becky’s handout.