We don’t always talk about the tough times behind the glossy business wins — but those are the moments that define us. I’ve had my share of setbacks: projects that didn’t land, partnerships that fizzled, or times when cash flow was tighter than courage. Yet every obstacle I faced became a blueprint for resilience. Over 25+ years and across 30+ cities, I’ve learned that success isn’t about never falling — it’s about how creatively you get back up. Here’s how I turned setbacks into stepping stones — and how you can too.
1. Turn Experience Into Expertise
When I launched my first eCommerce venture back in 2002, it caught the attention of Amazon. That experience — from ideation to scaling — was both exhilarating and exhausting. But years later, it became a foundation for something bigger: Empower Business, where I now help others grow their ventures globally.
If you’ve worked through challenges, you already have marketable expertise. Package what you’ve learned into online consulting, templates, or strategy sessions. There’s incredible power (and profit) in teaching what you’ve already mastered.
💡 Tip: Start by writing down your five biggest lessons from your professional journey. Each one can become a digital product, blog post, or client offer.
2. Build a Personal Brand Around Your Journey
My debut novel Nifty was born just before my 50th birthday — a milestone that felt more like a breakdown than a celebration. I wrote it as a way of reinventing myself through fiction: two women in their 50s who finally build the sustainable fashion business they once dreamed of in their 20s. In truth, it mirrored my own story of rediscovery and ambition.
That book led to real-world collaborations, keynote invitations, and now an upcoming fashion capsule collection for women 50+.
💡 Tip: Don’t hide your story — it’s your strongest marketing tool. Share what you’ve overcome. People follow people, not logos.
3. Create Passive Income Streams
After years of trading time for money, I realised I needed more scalable ways to serve others. That’s when I created the Empower Business Growth Store — an online platform filled with digital tools, strategy templates, and growth kits.
Digital products mean freedom. You create them once, but they can continue to generate revenue indefinitely.
💡 Tip: Think of one resource you often create for clients. Could you turn it into a downloadable template, checklist, or course?
4. Collaborate With Purpose
Every major breakthrough I’ve had has involved collaboration. From speaking at UCL and the Association of MBAs to co-creating the Nifty Avenue experience with women across continents, I’ve learned that shared success is sustainable success.
Collaboration introduces you to new audiences, new resources, and new ways of thinking. Whether you’re building a product, a brand, or an event, don’t do it in isolation.
💡 Tip: Make a list of five potential collaborators — people or brands whose values align with yours — and reach out this week.
5. Future-Proof With Fractional Leadership
Fractional leadership changed everything for me. I now partner with small and mid-tier companies that can’t afford a full-time executive but need experienced guidance to grow. It’s flexible, rewarding, and impactful — a win for everyone involved.
💡 Tip: Position yourself as a strategic problem-solver for companies in transition. You bring clarity, experience, and direction — and that’s always in demand.
No one escapes setbacks, but those who succeed are the ones who turn pain into purpose and purpose into profit. Your story is your strength.
👉 Ready to bounce back stronger?
Book a business growth session or invite me to speak about resilience and reinvention at your next conference.
I’m driven by a mission to connect innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship to create ventures that leave a global legacy. Every contribution supports new projects, collaborations, and opportunities that empower communities and deliver real-world impact. Your support helps transform bold visions into action.