Neill Dunwoody is a passionate professional who thrives on innovation and collaboration. He is the founder of Spryt, Chief Talent Strategist, and Head of Ireland with Tribes.
Building a business is a bit like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the manual, which is frustrating and chaotic, and at some point, you’ll wonder why you even started. But here’s the thing: the people who win in business aren’t the ones who never hit a roadblock; they’re the ones who plow through them like a stubborn goat that refuses to be fenced in.
Resistance is inevitable, but so is your comeback
If you’re expecting a smooth ride, you might want to rethink your decision to be an entrepreneur. Resistance will show up in many forms: skeptical investors, slow sales, and that one person who tells you “it’ll never work” (spoiler alert: they’re usually wrong). The trick? Keep showing up. No business was ever built by someone who quit at the first sign of trouble.
Your inner circle will make or break you
Surround yourself with people who get it. The ones who see the vision, who keep you accountable, and who don’t flinch when you start talking about wild expansion plans. Being around winners rubs off. So does being around energy vampires who suck the enthusiasm out of the room, so choose wisely.
Failure is not a detour; it’s the road itself
Every successful entrepreneur has a graveyard of failed ideas behind them. It’s just part of the process. What is the difference between those who make it and those who don’t? The ones who make it understand that failure isn’t the end; it’s just a stepping stone to something better.
Laugh through the chaos
If you can’t find the humor in the madness, you’re going to have a rough time. Things will go wrong. Orders will get mixed up, tech will fail at the worst moment, and sometimes, you’ll wonder if your business is just an elaborate form of self-punishment. Laugh, adapt, and move on.
Keep going until the story changes
People love an overnight success story. What they don’t love to mention is that “overnight” usually takes years. Stay the course, keep pushing forward, and eventually, your perseverance will turn into success that looks effortless from the outside.
At the end of the day, resistance is just a test to see how badly you want it. Pass the test, and you’ll find yourself exactly where you were meant to be, leading something that actually matters.
Read more from Neill Dunwoody
Neill Dunwoody, Founder and Talent Strategist
As the co-founder and COO of Spryt and Chief Talent Strategist and Director at Tribes, I lead two disruptive startups transforming healthcare and tech talent and digital transformation. Spryt's AI receptionist, ASA, reduces patient no-shows by offering 24/7 appointment management via messaging platforms like WhatsApp, increasing patient engagement by 160%. Tribes connect businesses with prequalified tech talent and run an award-winning digital studio. I also advise Manna, Prommt, and HR Duo, working on cutting-edge drone delivery, payments, and AI-driven HR solutions. A HIMSS Pitchfest winner, I use my 812k TikTok and 426k Instagram followers to advocate for innovation. My focus remains on building companies that solve real problems.
