Fail Forward: You Only Lose When You Quit!

Lessons Learned from Launching My First Business

Failure was my greatest teacher in 2017. I learned:

  • You need capital and a cushion.
  • Skills don’t replace systems.
  • Customer service is king.
  • You can’t do it all alone — even if you try.
  • Business insurance and credit aren’t optional — they’re foundational.
  • Some clients, especially shady landlords, will test your boundaries. Protect your energy and your time.
  • Mixing friends with business? Think twice. Clarity beats loyalty when money’s involved.
  • Don’t wait for perfect. Get the business open — then make it pretty.
  • Burnout is real. Depression is real. And ignoring either will break your grind.
  • Be okay with building alone. Everyone won’t see the vision — and that’s okay.

That year, I learned how to fall, but more importantly, how to get up with strategy instead of just hustle. I stopped trying to force things and started designing systems that supported me. Those early lessons became the backbone of how Miracle moves today.