By Roberta Edu, CEO of Moppets Baby Food
In the world of entrepreneurship, the road is rarely smooth, and success is never handed out on a silver platter. One of the recurring questions I face from grant organizations, fellowship programs, and even fellow entrepreneurs is, “What failure have you faced and how did you overcome it?” Initially, I struggled with this. Why must I talk about failure to gain recognition or investment? Can’t brilliance or hard work be enough?
It wasn’t until I immersed myself fully in the business world that I realized why these questions are so important. The truth is, failure is an inevitable part of the journey to success. We can’t truly grow or understand our capabilities without first facing adversity. Overcoming failure builds resilience, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills—qualities that are indispensable in business.
I vividly recall an interview I had with a women-led grant organization. They asked about a failure I had faced, and I couldn’t just give one answer. I said, “If people in other parts of the world give you one, I’ll give you three: one as a woman, the second as an African, and the third as a business operating in Nigeria.” The moment I shared the depth of these challenges, I saw their perspective shift. They understood the true essence of perseverance. And just like that, a grant was approved.
Entrepreneurship, especially in Nigeria, is a battlefield. Every day presents new challenges—whether it’s managing financial instability, dealing with unpredictable supply chains, or navigating a competitive market. Many people give up in the face of these obstacles. I’ve seen it firsthand: people walk away from businesses, feeling defeated by the very struggles that are meant to shape them. But the truth is, every business challenge is an opportunity in disguise. The key is to embrace those challenges and push forward.
The most successful entrepreneurs are not those who avoid difficulty, but those who learn to navigate through it. When you encounter a problem in your business, it’s easy to throw your hands up and quit. But I’ve learned to face it head-on, strategizing and seeking solutions. It’s during these moments of adversity that we grow, adapt, and evolve into better business leaders.
This mindset has been essential in building Moppets Baby Food. I’ve seen firsthand how embracing the challenges has led to greater achievements and rewards. Perseverance is the foundation of any successful venture. It’s about enduring the tough moments and using them as stepping stones toward something greater.
So, to every entrepreneur out there: stop fearing failure. Instead, embrace it, learn from it, and allow it to propel you forward. Business is not about avoiding the hard things; it’s about facing them with determination and a solution-focused mindset. It’s in these moments that you truly build the resilience that will ultimately define your success.
