The Beauty of Failure: Lessons Hidden in Setback

Have you ever heard the saying, “Failure serves two purposes: first, it shows you what doesn’t work, and second, it gives you a chance to try something new”? As an entrepreneur, I can relate to that deeply. While many see failure as a significant setback, I’ve come to realize that it’s one of the most powerful tools for growth. It forces us to face challenges head-on, rethink our choices, and adapt in ways we never imagined.

Honestly, the lessons I’ve learned from failure have taught me far more about success than any victory ever could. In this article, I’ll share five key lessons I’ve gained from failure and why we must shift our mindset around it.

Personal Story: The Journey to Closing The Lunchbox

One of the most difficult moments in my entrepreneurial journey came in 2024 when I had to close my restaurant. It was a tough decision, but ultimately, it led to personal growth in ways I never expected.

In 2019, I launched The Lunchbox to combine my love for healthy food with my passion for entrepreneurship. What started in my kitchen quickly grew into a Liberian-inspired food service company. By 2021, I had opened a physical location, filled with hope and excitement for the future.

However, as many entrepreneurs know, the road to success isn’t always smooth. Despite its growth, The Lunchbox faced mounting challenges. The beautiful space I rented was far too large and costly for my needs. By 2023, I made the difficult but necessary decision to relocate to a smaller space, hoping for a fresh start. Unfortunately, that same year, I had to leave for school. Between my academic commitments, cash flow issues, and a limited team capacity, I found myself stretched too thin.

I knew I didn’t want to shut the business down entirely—I just needed to find a sustainable way to keep it running. Something that was manageable for my team and less demanding on my time and energy. That meant reassessing my strategy and asking myself, “What is the best way to keep the business operational while reducing the strain on me?” The answer came in the form of an opportunity to provide canteen services, allowing The Lunchbox to stay active in a more manageable capacity. Though it’s not as glamorous as the restaurant, it keeps the business alive without the overwhelming demands of a full-service location. The transition, while difficult, what what I needed in this season of my life.

When the day finally came to close the restaurant, I expected to feel disappointed. Instead, I was met with an overwhelming sense of relief. That moment of closure led me to my first profound realization: sometimes, the hardest decisions are the most freeing.

Closing the restaurant didn’t feel like a failure—it became an opportunity for reflection and realignment. It pushed me to ask myself important questions: What did I learn? and How can I use these lessons to forge a new path?

Why Failure is a Gift

Failure is often viewed as a stumbling block, especially in entrepreneurship. A survey conducted by The Harris Poll for Zapier found that 92% of respondents with a business idea never pursued it—primarily due to fear of failure. The survey, conducted from December 21-23, 2020, included 2,001 U.S. adults aged 18 and older.

This fear of failure is even more prevalent in Africa, where environmental constraints and limited support systems create additional challenges for entrepreneurs.

But it’s not just business owners who struggle with this fear—many people experience it at some point. Society has conditioned us to see failure as something shameful when, in reality, it’s a natural and inevitable part of life. Fearing failure is a waste of energy because it’s not something to be avoided—it’s something to be learned from. Some of life’s greatest lessons come from failure and setbacks. If we embrace failure as a gift instead of fearing it, we can use it as a stepping stone toward success.

Reframing Failure: A New Perspective

Reframing your mindset about failure doesn’t mean abandoning discipline, strategy, or hard work; it means understanding that failure is not the enemy. It’s a teacher, a guide, and sometimes, a necessary detour toward something even better.

Closing my restaurant after investing five years of my life, time, and resources was painful—there’s no denying that. Walking away from something I had poured so much into wasn’t easy. But while it felt like an ending, it wasn’t a total loss. The invaluable experience I gained continues to shape my future in ways I never expected.

Through The Lunchbox, I developed expertise in nutrition, healthy living, food and beverage management, digital marketing, branding, and graphic design. I learned how to create recipes and menus and even acquired restaurant equipment that will serve me well when I eventually reopen my business. If I ever start a new venture, I won’t be starting from scratch—I’ll be starting from experience. And that’s the beauty of failing forward.

Though disappointment and setbacks sting, they don’t mean you’ve lost. You only lose when you quit. Failing forward doesn’t erase the pain, but it does bring growth, resilience, and invaluable experience. It’s about understanding that if you never try, you’ll never discover what you’re truly capable of.

Below, I share five key lessons to help you reframe your mindset toward failure and use it as a stepping stone to something greater.

1. Failure Forces You to Look at the Bigger Picture – Reassess and Pivot
   When things don’t go as planned, it’s easy to feel disappointed—even devastated. But shifting your mindset about failure helps you see the bigger picture. Just because something didn’t work this time doesn’t mean it will never work. And just because you’ve invested time, money, or energy into one path doesn’t mean you can’t pivot and pursue something else. When reframed, failure can pull you out of despair and help you reassess your situation with fresh eyes. It allows you to chart a new course—one that may align even better with your goals and purpose. Practical Tip: Surround yourself with support. Talk to mentors, friends, or others who have faced similar challenges. Their insights can help you see failure as a stepping stone rather than a dead end, encouraging you to move forward.
2. Failure Shows You What Doesn’t Work – Learn from Your Mistakes
   When things go wrong, it’s easy to blame others. But true growth comes from taking responsibility for your role in the outcome. Failure isn’t just about what others did or didn’t do—it’s an opportunity to assess the entire situation objectively. Instead of pointing fingers, ask: What went wrong? Why did it happen? What was my role in it? With The Lunchbox, I recognized that poor location choices, ineffective systems, and overextending myself were major factors in its struggles. Acknowledging these mistakes allowed me to move forward with greater wisdom and a clearer strategy for the future. Practical Tip: Debrief every failure. Instead of dwelling on disappointment, analyze what went wrong—without self-blame. Identify key lessons and apply them to your next venture so that every setback becomes a stepping stone for future success.

3. Winning Requires More Than Strategy and Hard Work – Trust the Timing
   I had a solid business strategy and a hardworking team, but they weren’t enough to keep my business open. The missing piece wasn’t effort or planning—it was timing. Success isn’t just about having the right strategy; it also requires faith and trust in divine timing. Through prayer and divine guidance, I understood that my season required my focus elsewhere. Practical Tip: Pray and seek guidance. Whether through faith, meditation, or trusted advisors, take time to align your decisions with your values and the season you’re in. Sometimes, success is about knowing when to move forward and when to pivot.
4. Failure Can Be Freeing – Let Go of What No Longer Serves You Closing The Lunchbox wasn’t a failure but a necessary redirection toward what truly mattered in this season of my life. At first, I thought I would feel disappointed, but instead, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. The demands on my time and energy had become unsustainable, and I realized that trying to juggle everything meant I wasn’t giving my best to anything. Letting go wasn’t a sign of defeat but an act of self-awareness and strength. Practical Tip: Celebrate the effort, not just the outcome. Even when things don’t go as planned, acknowledge the dedication and growth from the experience. Sometimes, stepping away is the most courageous decision you can make.
5. Failure Brings Clarity and Empathy – Grow Through the Experience
   As a teacher and an aspiring writer, personal experience is invaluable. It allows me to truly understand the issues I want to teach and write about more deeply. I don’t want to teach from a distance, relying solely on secondhand knowledge—I want to speak from experience. That’s why I’m not afraid to try and fail. Every setback strengthens my understanding and deepens my empathy for others on similar journeys. Practical Tip: Share your story. Failure can feel isolating, but opening up about your experiences can inspire and uplift others going through similar challenges. Embracing and talking about setbacks fosters a sense of community and mutual encouragement.

Moving Forward

Failure isn’t a reflection of your worth—it’s just a season. If you’re facing setbacks, remember that they don’t define you. They’re simply stepping stones toward something greater.

Are you currently in a challenging season? Take heart and trust that this too shall pass.