In the words of Oprah Winfrey, "Failure is another stepping stone to greatness." It’s true: mistakes can help shape who we are and teach us lessons that boost our careers. It’s natural to initially feel disheartened, but if you’re able to see knock-backs as opportunities to learn, they can become springboards for success. As way of proof, I spoke to these inspiring businesswomen about the one setback that only made them stronger. Because, yes, even the most successful entrepreneurs make mistakes, too.
"I was far from perfect when it first came to recruiting for Floom, the florist marketplace I launched in 2016.
"My personal hiring style is very relaxed - I wanted people to feel comfortable enough to show their skills and not let a structured, intense interview influence their nerves. But did this work? No.
"In the early days, two out of three people we hired were asked to leave. Inconsistency during the interview process was definitely a mistake, but one I learned from quickly. Now Floom has a full structure in place, from initial feedback to questions and set projects for each candidate.
"Given the time it takes to interview potential hires, ensuring the process is as similar as possible for each person allows you to make a more informed decision, from character fit to skill set. I want people who thrive on responsibility with a desire to improve themselves - and if they are inspired to grow and feel like the company is backing them, the business prospers too."