After nearly a year of interviewing a diverse group of entrepreneurs, Jennifer Sieg explores why passion is critical for success.
Over the past 11 months, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing both seasoned and emerging entrepreneurs. One key takeaway is that despite their differences, their journeys share many similarities.
From chatting with the founder of a greeting cards start-up to the leader behind the UK’s largest car insurer—a FTSE 100 company now valued at £8.4bn—I’ve gained insights into various businesses, models, and founders.
Success may look different to everyone, but the challenges founders face are often strikingly similar.
For instance, who would have thought that the growing pains of building a cutting-edge tech start-up would mirror those of running a small independent restaurant in the heart of the city?
Growing pains are unavoidable.
As your start-up grows, the transition from an idea on paper to a sustainable business brings inevitable challenges. I once spoke with a founder who bootstrapped her business for 17 years and is only now navigating the complex world of fundraising—a journey she never expected to be so challenging.
Especially considering that only 2p of every £1 of equity funding in the UK goes to female-founded businesses—a figure that hasn’t changed in a decade, despite efforts to increase funding.
You might assume that after two decades of building a business, things would get easier, but that’s far from the truth.
The start-up ecosystem—whether in tech, hospitality, or retail—has never been simple.
From funding difficulties and regulatory challenges to high operational costs and a shortage of accessible talent, the list of obstacles continues to grow.
After interviewing over 100 founders, I can confidently say that without a deep passion for what you’re doing, the struggle will be much harder.
Just yesterday, I spoke with the founder of one of the UK’s fastest-growing start-ups, D. Louise, who shared that naming her jewelry brand after her late mother has given her the strength to persevere on the toughest days.
Whether it’s the meaning behind your brand’s name or the impact you hope to have on future generations, the resilience fueled by passion is universal—regardless of the venture. The growing pains will eventually fade as long as you stay focused on what truly matters.
You may even find that the lows are as valuable as the highs, as long as you embrace the bumpy ride.
As my friend Henry Engelhardt, founder of Admiral Group, a company named a ‘Great Place to Work’ for 23 consecutive years, once told me: “If people like what they do, they do it better.”
Read more: How this tech start-up plans to revolutionize the construction industry.
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After nearly a year of interviewing a diverse group of entrepreneurs, Jennifer Sieg explores why passion is critical for success.
Over the past 11 months, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing both seasoned and emerging entrepreneurs. One key takeaway is that despite their differences, their journeys share many similarities.
From chatting with the founder of a greeting cards start-up to the leader behind the UK’s largest car insurer—a FTSE 100 company now valued at £8.4bn—I’ve gained insights into various businesses, models, and founders.
Success may look different to everyone, but the challenges founders face are often strikingly similar.
For instance, who would have thought that the growing pains of building a cutting-edge tech start-up would mirror those of running a small independent restaurant in the heart of the city?
Growing pains are unavoidable.
As your start-up grows, the transition from an idea on paper to a sustainable business brings inevitable challenges. I once spoke with a founder who bootstrapped her business for 17 years and is only now navigating the complex world of fundraising—a journey she never expected to be so challenging.
Especially considering that only 2p of every £1 of equity funding in the UK goes to female-founded businesses—a figure that hasn’t changed in a decade, despite efforts to increase funding.
You might assume that after two decades of building a business, things would get easier, but that’s far from the truth.
The start-up ecosystem—whether in tech, hospitality, or retail—has never been simple.
From funding difficulties and regulatory challenges to high operational costs and a shortage of accessible talent, the list of obstacles continues to grow.
After interviewing over 100 founders, I can confidently say that without a deep passion for what you’re doing, the struggle will be much harder.
Just yesterday, I spoke with the founder of one of the UK’s fastest-growing start-ups, D. Louise, who shared that naming her jewelry brand after her late mother has given her the strength to persevere on the toughest days.
Whether it’s the meaning behind your brand’s name or the impact you hope to have on future generations, the resilience fueled by passion is universal—regardless of the venture. The growing pains will eventually fade as long as you stay focused on what truly matters.
You may even find that the lows are as valuable as the highs, as long as you embrace the bumpy ride.
As my friend Henry Engelhardt, founder of Admiral Group, a company named a ‘Great Place to Work’ for 23 consecutive years, once told me: “If people like what they do, they do it better.”
Read more: How this tech start-up plans to revolutionize the construction industry.
