The Power of Persistence in Construction Entrepreneurship

Starting a construction business is rarely a smooth journey. It’s not about having the perfect business plan or a flawless strategy—it’s about persistence. When I started my construction company, I faced rejection after rejection. Banks told me I didn’t have enough experience, lenders dismissed my calls, and doubt crept in more often than I’d like to admit. But here’s the truth: the difference between success and failure in entrepreneurship often comes down to one thing—how many times you’re willing to hear “no” and keep going anyway.

I must have called 50 lenders when trying to secure financing for my first project. Each call was an opportunity to fail—or to push forward. Most of them said no. They didn’t care that I had experience working for a billion-dollar construction company because, on paper, I didn’t meet the criteria: I wasn’t a licensed general contractor with two years of independent experience. But I kept dialing, kept explaining my vision, kept asking questions.

Eventually, one lender said yes. But it wasn’t because they saw something magical in my pitch. It was because I kept showing up, and one of my investors happened to know someone in the right position. That “yes” only came because of the 49 rejections before it.

Here’s the lesson: rejection isn’t failure—it’s data. Every “no” teaches you something. It sharpens your pitch, clarifies your business model, and helps you adapt. In construction, just like in any other business, resilience is your greatest asset. You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room, but you do have to be the most determined.

If you’re starting out as a contractor, don’t expect doors to fly open just because you have a good idea or even a solid plan. Be ready to knock on door after door. Be prepared to follow up, to reintroduce yourself, to keep refining your approach. That’s not failure—that’s the process.

In the end, securing that first deal wasn’t just about getting the money. It was about proving to myself that I could face rejection and not let it define me. That’s what entrepreneurship really is—facing the hard stuff and pushing through anyway.