Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Let’s not sugarcoat it—entrepreneurship is hard. Like, “I’m about to throw my laptop across the room and cry into my spreadsheet” hard.
In the latest episode of Five with Fry, I brought back my mentor Ty Smith to dig into the emotional—and often overlooked—side of starting something new. We’re talking about the stuff that doesn’t show up in pitch decks but makes or breaks you as a founder.
So let’s get into it.
The Emotional Whiplash Is Real
If you’ve ever put your whole heart into an idea only to be met with silence (or worse, rejection), you know what I mean. That kind of emotional investment can wreck you if you’re not ready for it.
Ty and I talked about how important it is to hear “no” as “not yet.” Maybe your product isn’t ready. Maybe your pitch didn’t land. Maybe the timing’s off. That doesn’t mean it’s game over—it just means pause, regroup, and try again.
I’ve been there. I’ve had moments—real “I can’t do this” breakdowns—where it felt like everything was crumbling. But if you can weather those lows and keep going? That’s where the growth happens.
You Gotta Learn to Take Feedback (Even When It Hurts)
Let’s be honest—feedback can feel like a personal attack. Especially when you’ve been grinding nonstop. But if you want to build something that lasts, you have to learn how to take it without falling apart.
Ty called feedback a “gift,” and he’s right. It saves you time, money, and energy by showing you what not to do. Whether it’s from investors, potential customers, or trusted peers, good feedback moves you forward—even when it stings a little.
(And trust me, I’ve had feedback that made my little founder heart ache. Still showed up, still asked for more.)
Pitching Is Not the Same as Talking
Let me say this loud for the folks in the back: Being a good speaker is not the same thing as being good at pitching.
I talk for a living, and even I had to learn this the hard way. Investors don’t want a speech—they want clarity. They want to understand your product, your market, and why it matters right now.
If someone walks away from your pitch confused, that’s on you. The good news? You can get better at it. Ask for feedback. Rework your messaging. Practice until it clicks.
Stop Seeing Everyone as a Competitor
Here’s the truth: if you treat every other founder like they’re the enemy, you’re going to miss out on opportunities, resources, and genuine support.
Ty introduced the idea of “competimates”—people who might technically be in the same space as you but are also down to share advice, contacts, and encouragement.
I’ve been part of WhatsApp groups and communities where founders swap grant links, pitch tips, and even whole application templates. That’s the energy we need, especially in Black and Brown founder spaces, where resources are already limited.
What’s meant for you will find you. Hoarding connections or guarding your ideas out of fear? That’s scarcity mindset talking. And it’s not helping you.
Will It Scale? And Where?
Last thing: let’s talk growth. Not every idea needs to scale like Amazon, but you do need to know if it’s possible—and how.
Are you thinking about adjacent markets? Have you looked at who your real competitors are (hint: it’s not always who you think)? Ty and I talked about finding your niche, figuring out what else your customers need, and making sure your business has room to grow.
You don’t have to be huge, but you do have to be strategic.
Bottom line? Entrepreneurship takes guts, patience, and a lot of uncomfortable learning. You will mess up. You will get rejected. You will want to quit.
But if you can stay open, take feedback, find your people, and keep tweaking the vision? You’ve got a shot at building something powerful.
🎧 Go listen to the full episode of Five with Fry—because if you’re a founder trying to make it work, this one’s for you.
