Skip to Content

The Tough Lessons That Shaped My Journey

Struggles, Setbacks and Breakthroughs
January 17, 2026 by
Nhlanhla 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, Mred Garden Services and Mred Conversations, 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

The pressure you put on yourself

The fear of failing

The confusion when things don’t make sense

The financial challenges

The moments when nothing works

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

Building the brand

Making business decisions

Investing time, effort, and money

Expanding into multiple businesses

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

Start small

Grow slowly

Reinvest profits

Avoid rushing the process

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

What to improve

How to plan better

How to lead better

How to manage time and resources

How to stay calm under pressure

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

The first client

The first business earnings

The launch of each new company

The creation of MRED Holdings

Seeing ideas turn into real businesses

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.

You are not weak — you are growing.

You are not alone — every entrepreneur feels this.

You are not behind — you are on your journey.

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.