Being an entrepreneur can have its setbacks and uncertainties. It’s like running headfirst into a jungle with a vague map to your destination. You know where you want to go, but you’re unsure what you will encounter along the way. If you’re feeling lost about starting your business, here are a couple of inspirational stories that can help motivate you to work your way through it.

Sophia Amoruso

Diagnosed with ADHD at an early age, Sophia had an uphill battle from the start. She had to withdraw from school and spent her early years working odd jobs. Following her parents’ divorce, she relocated to Sacramento, where she survived by hitchhiking, shoplifting, and stealing from bins.

Through creative thinking early in the online thrifting era, this Southern California Native caught her first break. She started selling vintage clothing on eBay, under the account name Nasty Gal Vintage. What was an eBay account quickly grew to an online retail business worth $20 million.

Evan Williams

Evan Williams had humble beginnings running irrigation in the summertime for his family farm in Clark, Nebraska. After only a year and a half in college and working for various tech start-ups across the country, he found his way back to the farm. This setback didn’t stop him though. After working various coding positions, he found his footing with Meg Hourihan. Together, the duo developed Blogger which became the launchpad for his entrepreneurial internet career.

Blogger was later sold to Google in 2003 and is credited as one of the first blogging sites. You may recognize Evans best as one of the founders of Twitter, which was the eventual follow up to his Blogger success. His latest internet sensation is the blogging-like article site “Medium”.

If you need additional resources to help map out the small business jungle, remember to utilize your AFEUSA membership. You can find an assortment of useful resources at your fingertips to ensure you and your small business are in the right direction.

Article by
Wayne Goshkarian,
Senior Advisor

Wayne Goshkarian in front of his jet