A Business Success Story – Persistence Wins
March 13, 2009 by Jean Murray
Filed under Business
This story is about a young chiropractor named Barton. He graduated from chiropractic college over $100,000 in debt, with no personal finances to get a loan., and a young wife and baby. But he was determined to start his chiropractic practice. He went to bank after bank. Each bank turned him down. Some said “no” more or less politely, but they all said, “No way you can get a loan.” He had little support from his family and no personal funds to use as collateral. He had no experience, but he certainly had a will to succeed.
He was turned down by 9 (yes, 9) banks. But he didn’t give up. He kept on talking to banks, trying to get them to sign on with him and give him a chance. Although he told me he was often discouraged, he didn’t give up. With the 10th bank, he was welcomed, and the banker said, “Sure, we can give you a loan.”
That was four years ago. Today he is a successful chiropractor. He had to hire another chiropractor to help him because he has so many patients. And he has been able to succeed in a very tough city with lots of other chiropractors. If he had given up after the 2nd, or 4th, or even the 9th bank, he wouldn’t have been where he is today.
One of my favorite quotes, by Marilyn vos Savant, sums up the need for persistence in starting a business: “Defeat is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.”
Image source: Newscom
Great story of persistence and determination. Much of success is just pushing forward in the face of adversity. Keep your eyes on your goal and before you know it, you are successful.
Mark Bowser
Author of “Unlocking the Champion Within”
Thanks for the inspirational story. The enemy is often ourselves, that which is between our two ears, the self-limiting beliefs and questions we often put to ourselves. I am reading Chris Gardner’s book, Start Where You Are. As the main true life character of the Pursuit of Happyness, I knew I wanted to read what he had to say. It is people like him, and like the chiropractor you shared about, that keep me motivated to keep going when the tough times come.