Every entrepreneur, dreamer, or go-getter has heard or uttered these phrases:
“I don’t have enough money.”
“I’ve been grinding, but nothing is working.”
“This isn’t for people like me.”
“Nobody believes in me.”
“I’m just too tired.”
Sound familiar?
These words are not new. They’ve echoed in the minds of every person who ever dared to dream. But what separates those who succeed from those who don’t is simple:
**The winners kept going—**regardless of the excuses.
This post is inspired by a powerful reel from Codie Sanchez that tears down common excuses by showing how some of the world’s most successful people faced the same barriers—and pushed through them.
Let’s break down each excuse and meet the legends who overcame them.
Excuse #1: “I don’t have enough money to start a business”
💬 The Truth:
Money is important, but it’s not the first step—belief and creativity are.
👟 Phil Knight started Nike with just $50
Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, didn’t begin with millions in venture capital. He started with $50 and a crazy idea—importing shoes from Japan and selling them out of his car trunk. For years, Knight juggled a full-time job and his shoe business. It was slow, grueling, and uncertain.
But with relentless determination, strategic partnerships, and smart reinvestment, Nike evolved into a billion-dollar global brand.
💡 Lesson: If you don’t have money, use what you do have—time, energy, skills, a network. Bootstrap, barter, build small. Money finds those who don’t wait for it.
Excuse #2: “I’ve been grinding for weeks with no results”
💬 The Truth:
Success doesn’t come fast—it comes consistently.
🏀 It took Michael Jordan 7 years to win his first NBA championship
Michael Jordan is a household name today, often called the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). But even the GOAT waited 7 long years in the NBA before lifting his first championship trophy. That’s seven seasons of blood, sweat, and losses.
During that time, he trained harder than anyone. He didn’t let failure define him—he let it refine him.
💡 Lesson: Just because you’re not winning yet doesn’t mean you’re losing. Persistence isn’t optional; it’s essential. Keep showing up, and your breakthrough will follow.
Excuse #3: “But I’m a woman—business is for men”
💬 The Truth:
Your gender is not a disadvantage—it’s your power.
🎨 Melanie Perkins pitched Canva over 100 times before securing funding
Melanie Perkins, the female founder of Canva, wasn’t taken seriously at first. Investors dismissed her vision. Many didn’t understand why the world needed a simple, design-for-everyone platform.
But she pitched over 100 times. Yes, over one hundred rejections.
She didn’t stop. Today, Canva is worth over $26 billion and is one of the most widely used design tools on the planet.
💡 Lesson: If you’re not being given a seat at the table, build your own. The world needs your voice—not despite your identity but because of it.
Excuse #4: “But nobody believes in me”
💬 The Truth:
They don’t need to—you do.
📺 Reed Hastings was laughed out of the room when he pitched Netflix to Blockbuster
Reed Hastings, the founder of Netflix, once approached Blockbuster to propose a partnership. They literally laughed at him. They didn’t see the future.
But Hastings saw what they didn’t—that streaming would change everything. He believed when no one else did.
Today, Netflix has outlived Blockbuster (which filed for bankruptcy) and changed how we consume entertainment.
💡 Lesson: People might not see your vision because it doesn’t exist yet. That’s not your cue to stop—it’s your cue to go harder.
Excuse #5: “But I’m tired”
💬 The Truth:
You’re not tired—you’re uninspired.
🚀 Elon Musk worked 100+ hour weeks and slept on the Tesla factory floor
Elon Musk wasn’t always a billionaire. During the early Tesla years, he put in 100+ hour workweeks, slept in the factory, and even came close to bankruptcy. He poured every ounce of energy, time, and money he had into making Tesla work.
And it almost didn’t.
But he didn’t stop. And because of that, we now have electric cars, reusable rockets, and a man pushing humanity toward Mars.
💡 Lesson: Being tired is part of the journey. You can rest, but never quit. The ones who win are not the most talented—they’re the ones who keep going when everyone else stops.
The Only Thing Stopping You Is You
There’s one thread that connects all of these stories:
They all had every reason to give up—but they didn’t.
So what’s stopping you?
- Lack of money? Start small. Get creative. Find a side hustle.
- No results yet? Be patient. Stay consistent.
- Marginalized or overlooked? Use it as fuel.
- No support system? Become your own biggest cheerleader.
- Tired? Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
The most dangerous lie we tell ourselves is: “I can’t.”
The most powerful truth is: “I haven’t—yet.”
Stop With the Excuses—Start With the Action
Here’s what to do instead of making excuses:
✅ 1. Start with what you have
Don’t wait for the perfect time or resources. Use your phone, your skills, your connections. Start scrappy. Success loves action.
✅ 2. Set clear micro-goals
Big dreams overwhelm. Break them into daily wins. One email. One pitch. One post. Just one thing every day.
✅ 3. Surround yourself with bold people
Follow those who’ve done what you want to do. Join communities, masterminds, online forums. The right circle will either challenge you or change you.
✅ 4. Be OK with rejection
The sooner you get rejected, the closer you are to success. Think Melanie Perkins. Think Hastings. Rejection isn’t failure—it’s redirection.
✅ 5. Create momentum through movement
Action beats fear. Progress beats perfection. Do something today, no matter how small.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This
The world doesn’t need another excuse.
It needs you—your ideas, your voice, your solution.
You don’t need more money, time, or approval.
You need more belief.
Stop waiting. Stop doubting.
Start doing. Start building.
Start becoming the person who didn’t quit.
Because when you do, you’ll look back and realize:
The only thing that ever stood in your way…
Was you.
💥 Call to Action:
Share this with someone who needs a wake-up call.
Tag a friend stuck in excuses. Let’s build a world full of doers, not doubters.
Need help starting a business on a budget?
👉 Check out HussleTips for resources, tips, and guides for ambitious entrepreneurs like you.
📌 Inspired by:
Codie Sanchez’s Facebook reel – Watch the video here
