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Struggles, Setbacks and Breakthroughs — The Tough Lessons That Shaped My Journey

 

By Nhlanhla Handsome Ngubane
The MRED Entrepreneur Journey – Series Part 4

 

 

Entrepreneurship is often celebrated for its success stories — the wins, the achievements, the milestones. But what people don’t always see is the other side: the struggle, the stress, the doubt, the mistakes, and the moments when giving up feels easier than continuing.

 

In my journey of building MRED Holdings, Mred Corp Solutions, Mred Hair Salon & Barber Shop, Mred Farm, and Mred Garden Services, I experienced all of it.

And every struggle shaped me into the entrepreneur I am becoming.

 

The Hidden Reality Behind the Business

 

When people see your business online, they see the results — not the process.

They don’t see:

 

• The nights you can’t sleep
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• The pressure you put on yourself
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• The fear of failing
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• The confusion when things don’t make sense
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• The financial challenges
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• The moments when nothing works
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• The stress of trying to learn everything alone

But these are the things that shape you.

These are the experiences that build true strength.

 

The Fear of Failure

 

One of the biggest battles I faced was the fear of failing. It followed me through every new step:

 

• Registering the first company
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• Building the brand
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• Making business decisions
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• Investing time, effort, and money
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• Expanding into multiple businesses
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At times, I questioned myself:

 

“Am I doing the right thing?”

“What if things don’t work out?”

“What if I’m not ready?”

 

But I realized something powerful:

Fear doesn’t go away — you just learn to move with it.

 

Financial Struggles

 

There were moments when finances were tight, and it felt like the business demanded more than I could afford. Every entrepreneur faces this stage. But I learned to:

 

• Budget smart
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• Start small
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• Grow slowly
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• Reinvest profits
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• Avoid rushing the process
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• Make strategic decisions

Financial pressure didn’t stop me — it sharpened my discipline.

 

Making Mistakes & Learning Fast

 

Some decisions I made were not the best. Some plans failed. Some ideas didn’t work the way I expected. But each mistake taught me:

 

• What to avoid
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• What to improve
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• How to plan better
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• How to lead better
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• How to manage time and resources
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• How to stay calm under pressure
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Mistakes became teachers — not enemies.

 

Facing Doubt From Others

 

On this journey, some people doubted me. Some didn’t understand the vision. Some believed I was dreaming too big. Some even expected me to fail.

 

But every great entrepreneur learns to trust themselves more than the opinions around them.

 

I told myself:

“People don’t have to understand your dream. It wasn’t given to them — it was given to you.”

 

The Breakthrough Moments

 

Despite the struggles, there were moments that reminded me why I started:

 

• The first company registration
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• The first client
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• The first business earnings
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• The launch of each new company
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• The creation of MRED Holdings
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• Seeing ideas turn into real businesses
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• Watching my vision grow piece by piece

These moments were the breakthroughs — the proof that the struggle was part of the journey, not the end of it.

 

Growth Through Pain

 

I realized that every setback pushed me forward:

 

• Pressure taught me discipline
• Confusion taught me research
• Failure taught me resilience
• Doubt taught me confidence
• Struggle taught me humility
• Challenges taught me leadership

The truth is:
Entrepreneurship grows you before it grows your business.

 

A Message to Every Entrepreneur Facing Struggles

 

If you are in a tough chapter right now, hear this:

 

• You are not failing — you are learning.
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• You are not weak — you are growing.
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• You are not alone — every entrepreneur feels this.
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• You are not behind — you are on your journey.
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Great businesses are not built from comfort.
They are built through struggle, determination, and belief in the vision.

 

Keep going.

Your breakthrough is on the other side of your persistence.