From Million-Dollar Dreams to Rock Bottom: The Lessons in Persistence and Relationships (ft. Shawn Finnegan)
Success in business isn’t just about big wins—it’s about navigating the lows, learning from failures, and building relationships that make everything worthwhile. In this episode, I sat down with Shawn Finnegan, an entrepreneur whose story offers a powerful reminder that perseverance, even through the toughest of times, is the key to growth.
Shawn’s journey began in 2009, when he took the bold leap into entrepreneurship—right in the middle of the 2008 financial crisis. Despite the challenges, he raised $1.5 million for his business, and for a moment, things seemed on track. However, as is often the case in the entrepreneurial world, the highs came with their share of lows. Over the course of the next year, Shawn faced massive setbacks, lost nearly everything, and found himself struggling to make payroll.
What Shawn’s story teaches us isn’t just about business strategy. It’s about persistence, resilience, and the importance of building meaningful relationships along the way. Here are a few key takeaways that really stood out to me:
1. Success doesn't happen without failure.
When Shawn first raised that $1.5 million, it was a monumental achievement. But things quickly took a turn when marketing efforts didn't go as planned. A big event featuring a keynote speaker didn't deliver the promised results, and in the following months, Shawn lost almost all of the initial investment. As he shares, the "high" of raising the funds quickly turned into the low of watching it slip away.
But what Shawn realized in that process was that failure isn't the end—it's part of the journey. In fact, it's often the mistakes and missteps that drive us to get better, work smarter, and grow stronger. For Shawn, failure wasn't a stop sign—it was a turning point that eventually led to greater success.
2. Relationships are everything.
In the wake of losing most of his business, Shawn took immediate action. He didn't let his ego or pride stop him from seeking help. By reaching out to friends, mentors, and colleagues, he began rebuilding his business—one relationship at a time.
This is a key lesson for any entrepreneur: your network is one of your most valuable assets. It's not about who you know, but about how you nurture and value those relationships. Shawn didn't try to do it alone. He called in experienced salespeople, surrounded himself with smart partners, and leaned on his network to get back on track.
3. Even when you've his rock bottom, persistence pays off.
One of the most powerful moments in Shawn's story is when he describes that terrifying night when he was $1,000 short on payroll, and he felt like he had drained all his resources to make it work. He truly felt like this was a screaming sign of failure. But then, through a stroke of luck, quick thinking, and not giving up he was able to gather $3,000 and was able to make payroll.
This is the epitome of persistence: showing up when it feels impossible. As entrepreneurs, we often face moments when we think it's over, when we wonder if we've failed too many times to keep going. But it's in those moments that our true strength is tested. Shawn's story is a reminder that even when it feels like you're out of options, there's always a way forward if you're willing to keep going.
4. The journey isn't linear.
As Shawn reflects on his journey, he acknowledges that success doesn't come in a straight line. There are peaks and valleys, and the lessons you learn from both are what truly shape you. He shares how the most important lessons often come from the hardest moments—and how those challenges ultimately set him up for greater achievements down the road.
This is a powerful reminder for anyone in the thick of a tough season: the path to success isn't a straight shot. It's filled with bumps, detours, and lessons along the way. The key is to stay persistent, stay humble, and learn from each experience.
Shawn’s story is a testament to the power of relationships, the importance of learning from failure, and the incredible strength that comes from persistence. His journey shows us that the lows are just as valuable as the highs—and that with the right mindset, even the hardest moments can lead to breakthroughs.
Want to listen to our entire conversation?
Check out this podcast episode on High, Low, and Unexpected 🎙
