LESSONS FROM FAILURE

Looking back on 2017, I can see how a series of decisions I made nearly toppled everything we’d worked so hard to build at Hustle Group. 

I remember telling myself (and everyone else) that my drive to grow our business was all for the sake of my whānau. At the time, Jess and I had two tamariki, both under 5, and here I was, working long hours, over-leveraging the business, and pushing harder than ever, all in the name of “whānau” 

It made the hustle feel noble, like I was building a legacy for them. And I genuinely believed it.

But the truth? It was ego.

I didn’t see it then, but I see it clearly now. My tamariki didn’t need another new business location or more kaimahi under our brand. What they needed was their pāpā, right there in the moment with them - taking them to the park, playing hide and seek around the whare, or sitting down to do some colouring. 

I wanted the success, the cudos, and the feeling that I was doing something big. I told myself it was for my whānau, but deep down, I wanted the wins for myself.

When the business started to crumble, I had no choice but to take a hard look in the mirror. All the risks I had taken, all the decisions I’d made thinking they’d bring us closer to “success” - well they left us in a position where we nearly lost everything. 

The consequences hit hard! We had to sell nearly everything we owned, and Jess and I packed up our tamariki and moved back in with my parents where we stayed for 3 years and began to rebuild it all. 

It was humbling, to say the least. But I’m deeply grateful for the aroha and tautoko my whānau showed me, and for the chance to rebuild with my whānau by my side.

As tough as that time was, it taught me more than any win in business ever could. I realised that failure, as much as it hurts, is a part of growth. We didn’t just fail and give up, we failed forward. Those lessons forced me to reassess everything - to understand what truly mattered and to rebuild with new purpose. The experience stripped away any illusions I had about what success really looked like.

I’ll be honest, though. Even after going through all of that that, and with all the learning, I still really struggle to find the right balance. A big part of who I am loves the challenge of growing our business, of bringing ideas to life, of having a crack at something and expressing my inner creativity. 

I’m always pausing to ask myself if this drive is a good, healthy part of me, or if it’s just ego creeping back in. Jess helps me work through those moments. We talk it out, and together we make decisions about a lot of these things, balancing ambition with the whānau we want to build. Her perspective keeps me grounded and reminds me of what really matters.

These days, I’ve learned to keep my ego in check (most of the time I hope). I remind myself that my tamariki don’t need a hero - they need their pāpā and Jess needs her tāne.

In business, I’m more intentional. We have big ambitious plans don’t get me wrong, but we’re far more aware of the consequences of our actions.

So if there’s anything I’d pass on to others, it’s that failure isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a powerful teacher. Ignore it at your peril. 

So go out there are start failing. Then own it, and grow from it - that’s where real success lies.

Ngā mihi,

Anton