The worst year of my life… 2008
- I was developing a 72 unit condo in a vacation area
- With a huge pool at the roof top
- Everything was done
- Building permits
- Financing
- Marketing
- Even pre-sales
- I was happy
Then… while we were at the peak of our sales season
A Category 2 Hurricane passed through the vacation area
- Complete devastation
The area was without power for several weeks
We lost a few pre-sales
- As if things couldn’t get any worse
- The 2008 Financial Meltdown destroyed my dream…
- Took 100% of my investment money… lost everything
- Took almost 3 years of my life invested into this project
- Took my investors trust
- Took my friends for money issues
- Took my reputation
- Took my pride
- Took my joy
The entrepreneurial life is not easy.
But this didn’t stop me.
Strangely… this is a way of life.
I can’t quit… I won’t quit.
Lesson?
As an entrepreneur… don’t expect one problem
I should add:
- Tough Finances
- Family Sacrifices
- Depression and getting back up
- Misunderstood and called crazy
- Pains of failure
- Execution problems
- Bad partnerships
- Deceived, tricked, robbed, backstabbed
- etc… etc… etc…