What If You Give Up Too Early in Business?

By Sarah Clark, Non-toxic Living Consultant at Better Health with Sarah

I’m officially in a new stage of parenting - the empty nest phase.

With both my kids now in college, I suddenly have time for hobbies I always pushed to “someday.” Enter: sourdough bread making.

For anyone who has ever tried sourdough, you know there’s a learning curve. It’s not something you can jump into without knowing the steps and being prepared. It takes patience, nurturing, consistency, planning - and then a little hope that it all comes together. In many ways, it’s not that different from starting or growing a business.

When I made my first two loaves, my sister guided me step by step. We were out of town together, so she was there for each step. She had already been baking for a while, and with her guidance, the first two loaves came out beautifully. It felt surprisingly easy, almost effortless. I thought - maybe I’ve got this sourdough thing down.

But then came the real test - doing it on my own. My third loaf turned out dense and heavy. Edible, yes. Impressive, no. Definitely not the light, airy loaf like the first two loaves. It was tempting to say, “Well, I guess I’m not cut out for this,” and give up.

Instead, I tried again. I researched what I might have done wrong, adjusted my process, and, most importantly, didn’t rush it. My fourth loaf was a success - golden crust, soft interior, and just in time to serve it for dinner with friends. It got rave reviews, and I was proud of myself for making it successfully on my own.

Here’s the thing - that flop in between wasn’t proof that I couldn’t do it. It was feedback.

It showed me what to adjust and reminded me that mastery takes practice.

The same thing happens in business. A launch falls flat. A pitch gets rejected. A client says no. It’s easy to label those moments as failures, but in reality they’re part of the process. Each one is data, feedback, and an opportunity to refine. If we walk away too soon, we miss the chance to reach the version that actually works - the one that connects, sells, or takes off.

So the real question isn’t, “What if I fail?”

The real question is, “What if I stop too soon?”

And just like sourdough is easier when someone shows you the ropes, business gets a whole lot easier when you’re surrounded by people who understand what you’re going through. Having a community to network with - one that encourages you, shares ideas, and offers real connection - can make all the difference.

That’s what I love about The Prosper Network. It’s a space where women entrepreneurs can connect, learn from each other, and be reminded that they’re not in this alone. We all have our flop moments - but with the right support, the next try can be the one that rises.

If you’ve been craving that kind of encouragement and connection, I’d love for you to come join us inside The Prosper Network. Join or learn more here.

Sarah Clark is a non-toxic living consultant, who helps busy people ditch the overwhelm in reducing toxins in their personal care products, food & homes.

You can learn more at betterhealthwithsarah.com Follow Sarah on Instagram @betterhealthwithsarah Connect on LinkedIn @betterhealthwithsarah