• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

2

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

3

Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026

1

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

2

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

3

Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026

More Startups Would Be Successful if They Learned How to Do This

By
David Johnson
David Johnson
and
Bethany Cianciolo
Bethany Cianciolo
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
David Johnson
David Johnson
and
Bethany Cianciolo
Bethany Cianciolo
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 7, 2016, 8:30 PM ET
View through door of entrepreneurs working in office
View through door of entrepreneurs working in officePhotograph by Hero Images via Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

The Entrepreneur Insiders network is an online community where the most thoughtful and influential people in America’s startup scene contribute answers to timely questions about entrepreneurship and careers. Today’s answer to the question “What are some tips for maintaining a successful startup?” is written by David Johnson, founder of Act 4 Entertainment.

Talking about failure is popular in today’s business dialogue. And it’s true: We can all stand to learn a lot from the moments we miss the mark. And while seeing these moments as learning opportunities is great, what’s more important is positioning yourself to manage and work through them. Here are some ways to take the long view so you—and your business—can successfully get to the other side of the times you wish you could’ve avoided:

Keep calm
Learning to move on is an invaluable skill. When my production company decided to produce American Psycho: The Musical, we knew it wasn’t going to be an easy lift. We had to take material that, as a novel, had initially been called “unfit for public consumption,” as it was too intense for some audiences, and try to adapt it to the arguably most unapologetically playful art form—the American musical. But trying to move the art form forward was precisely one of the reasons we took on the project.

And while we accomplished these goals with a team we are incredibly proud of, the reception we got from some critics wasn’t exactly what we had hoped for. So what did we do? The only thing we could—we moved on. It’s difficult, and it takes some time, but it’s imperative that you learn not to drown in these moments. Extract what lessons you can, and maybe even look for a chance to revive your efforts in the future. But do everything you can to not let these downfalls poison the well.

See also: The One Thing Every Startup Should Be More Cautious About

Keep a full pipeline
The old adage is true: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And the best inoculation to those times you want to forget is having something else to look forward to.

For us, this was a film we had coming down the pike called Company Town, a documentary about environmental justice in a small town in Arkansas. We had been working on the project for several years at the same time we stormed Broadway. At right about the time Patrick Bateman was saying goodbye to the stage, Company Town was premiering at the Los Angeles Film Festival, and it turns out, to notable critical acclaim.

It’s important to keep your eyes on the horizon, and in more than just an aspirational way. Operationalize this outlook. When you have a great idea, find a second. When you invest in one project or endeavor, be sure to set aside enough emotional, financial, and kinetic capital to pursue others. Not only will this help you through some of the tougher times you’ll encounter, but it will give your business more legs to stand on, and more resilience to get through the occasional storms you will no doubt need to weather.

 

Define your own success
One of the reasons many of us build our own businesses to begin with is because we have a vision. So why is it that we frequently let others tell us when we’ve failed or succeeded? The idea that our success can only be measured in dollars—a profits-at-all-costs model—is one that needs to be challenged.

Through all of our work at Act 4, we endeavor to create socially conscious and politically relevant content. That means that we want to make an impact, whether that’s through the Environmental Protection Agency taking a second look at corporate environmental abuse or audiences giving deeper consideration to societal waste and personal responsibility. We consider these outcomes just as important as our bottom line. You should decide what matters most to you outside of financial payoff.

When you’re evaluating your progress or wondering whether you’re failing, remember that bedrock vision that drove you to start your company. Define your own wins and losses. It’s part of why you went off on your own in the first place, and is the key to your continued success.

About the Authors
By David Johnson
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By Bethany Cianciolo
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

CEO of $8 billion Flexport blasts remote work as ‘white-collar fraud’ and a ‘total fantasy’ for highly paid employees
C-Suiteremote work
CEO of $8 billion Flexport blasts remote work as ‘white-collar fraud’ and a ‘total fantasy’ for highly paid employees
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJune 24, 2026
25 minutes ago
President Donald Trump pictured in September 2025 signing an executive order that overhauled the H-1B visa program.
EconomyImmigration
Trump’s international student crackdown kicked off a domino effect that could shave nearly $500 billion off the economy
By Tristan BoveJune 24, 2026
60 minutes ago
Helix Plus Lead
Healthmattresses
The Best Early 4th of July Mattress Sales of 2026: Saatva, Helix, and More
By Christina SnyderJune 24, 2026
1 hour ago
How Home Depot is rebuilding retailing with AI
NewslettersCIO Intelligence
How Home Depot is rebuilding retailing with AI
By John KellJune 24, 2026
2 hours ago
bob
AIbooks
Robert Wright sees an ‘earthquake’ coming from AI that goes far beyond jobs: ‘cultural, political, personal, family, psychological’
By Nick LichtenbergJune 24, 2026
3 hours ago
Mamdani’s insurgents oust two Democratic congressmen in a sweep that rattles the party
New York City
Mamdani’s insurgents oust two Democratic congressmen in a sweep that rattles the party
By The Associated Press, Steve Peoples and Anthony IzaguirreJune 24, 2026
3 hours ago

Most Popular

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
Success
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
Economy
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
By Jacqueline MunisJune 24, 2026
12 hours ago
Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock
Banking
Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock
By Jim EdwardsJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of gold as of June 23, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of gold as of June 23, 2026
By Danny BakstJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
Texas and Charlotte used to build huge McMansions—now they're copying the California design tricks they once mocked
Real Estate
Texas and Charlotte used to build huge McMansions—now they're copying the California design tricks they once mocked
By Sydney LakeJune 22, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.