You’re Only as Good as Your Last Job”: 12 Quotes on Resilience from FOUNDRY Founders
Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster. One day you’re on top of the world, the next you’re facing a challenge that feels insurmountable. The secret to survival? Resilience. It’s the ability to bounce back from setbacks, to learn from your mistakes, and to keep going, even when things get tough.
On our Work This Way podcast, we’ve heard countless stories of resilience from the entrepreneurs in the FOUNDRY community. They’ve navigated everything from personal crises to global pandemics, and their wisdom is a powerful reminder that we are all stronger than we think.
Here are 12 of our favourite quotes on resilience from FOUNDRY founders. Let their words be a source of strength for you on your own entrepreneurial journey.
On Facing Setbacks
“The space between the trigger and your response is where your power lies. In that space, you have a choice. You can choose to react, or you can choose to respond.” - Christel Cowdrey, on rebuilding with dignity after a major life challenge.
“My ambition was a huge driver of my success, but it also made it hard for me to see the warning signs. I was so focused on growth that I didn’t always listen to my gut.” - Nikola Pottinger, on the difficult decision to close her business.
“I don’t see any of my past jobs as failures. They were all just part of the process of figuring out what I wanted to do.” - Carmen Davies, on embracing the journey of career exploration.
On Pushing Your Limits
“There are so many parallels between adventure and entrepreneurship. Both require you to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, to be able to push through pain, and to keep your eyes on the prize, no matter how far away it seems.” - Jake Mattock, on the mindset he developed while rowing across the Indian Ocean.
“I figured, what’s the worst that could happen? They could say no. But if I didn’t try, I would never know.” - The FOUNDRY Walthamstow member who audaciously crashed an interview at Apple.
“You learn to be very resourceful when you’re at sea. You can’t just pop down to the shops if you need something. You have to be able to problem-solve with what you have.” - Adam Howie, on how his time on superyachts prepared him for the startup world.
On Maintaining High Standards
“You’re only as good as your last job. That’s why we treat every project like it’s the most important one we’ve ever done.” - Chris, on building a successful construction business based on a reputation for quality.
“In our industry, your reputation is everything. We knew from day one that we had to be whiter than white. We had to be a company that people could trust, no matter what.” - Stuart McFadden, on building trust in the fintech industry.
On the Power of Perspective
“I wouldn’t change a thing about my journey. Every experience, good and bad, has made me who I am today.” - Sharon New, on her journey from Cape Town to the UK.
“It’s easy to let the business take over everything. We’ve had to be really intentional about switching off and making sure we have time for our family that is completely separate from work.” - Matt Evans, on the resilience required to run a business with his wife.
“People are often surprised by my background, but when you think about it, the skills are incredibly transferable. Dancers are some of the most disciplined and resilient people I know.” - Haydan, on the resilience he learned as a professional dancer.
“You can have the most beautiful space in the world, but if it doesn’t have a sense of community, it’s just an empty shell.” - The workspace design expert, on the resilience of a community-focused business.
We hope these quotes serve as a reminder of your own resilience. The entrepreneurial journey is tough, but you are tougher.
