I love cycling. I got into the sport after graduating high school. I spent my middle and high school days running track and cross country and kind of fell into cycling after a running injury late in high school. I instantly clicked with the sport. Being an average runner, I found that when my running skills and fitness combined with the strategy, endurance, and technical aspects of cycling, I could win a race or two (something that didn’t happen much when I ran). I raced all through college and continued competing for the next 10 or so years.  I’ve been in some epic races and put myself through some grueling training rides. I continue to ride regularly, but mainly for therapeutic and fitness reasons rather than training for the next big race.

I came home from work the other day and found my new Inc. Magazine sitting on the counter. I picked it up to thumb through the opening pages and came across a short article that talked about what to do when the going gets tough in your business. It added that “succeeding in business takes endurance.”

This really struck a cord with me. Being an endurance athlete most of my life, I instantly reflected back on my past athletic endeavors to draw a parallel with my recent business situations. As an endurance athlete, I’ve had to dig into places in my mind and body that allowed me to push through the pain and deal with other factors affecting a ride or run. I typically didn’t see the finish line or parking lot without fully engaging my endurance training and instincts.

The last 14 business months have replicated one of those epic bad-weather, multiple-flat-tire rides where equipment fails, food and water are long gone, and there are several miles remaining.

Endurance.

This business ride began in 2014 with the plan to open a second location in Texas. People were hired and paid to help search for funding. They cashed that check every month without hesitation – and with promises of easy and fast success. Finally, after several months of searching, an equity investor committed and a 45-day closing was put on the calendar. Commitments were made and plans were started based on that promise.

Thirteen months later, we haven’t crossed the finish line (or made it to the parking lot). I’ll be the first one to tell you that nothing with this business has been easy. Without a doubt, this has been one of the most frustrating periods in my business career. Every ounce of the endurance training I have ever experienced or learned over the years has been tested.

I put a lot of money and trust in a few firms who said they could get the deal done. After delays with the first commitment hit 90 days, it was obvious a restart was necessary. I traveled all over the country to meet with potential investors or review potential deals with parties who said they “love the deal” only to find out that they really didn’t “love the deal.” 

If I add up all the time I have spent creating volumes of documents and the number of presentations, it would fill a small warehouse. “Succeeding in business takes endurance.” I’m digging deep relying on my training and experience to get my company and team across the finish line.

Here’s to the final stretch.