Episode 209
Why Failure Is the Secret to Entrepreneurial Success: Insights from Anthony Franco
Starting and scaling a business can be intimidating, especially when faced with the fear of failure and uncertainty about the right first steps. Anthony Franco, serial entrepreneur and founder of six companies, has faced the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. He knows what it’s like to navigate failure and turn it into a stepping stone for success. Most aspiring entrepreneurs stay stuck in planning, never taking action, while Anthony has built a legacy of action and innovation.
In this episode, Anthony shares his philosophy on embracing failure, scaling businesses from scratch, and exiting successfully. Learn why execution trumps ideas, how to iterate quickly, and why passion drives lasting entrepreneurial success.
Key Takeaways:
• Failure as a Growth Tool: Anthony explains why failure is a critical part of the entrepreneurial process and how embracing it leads to long-term success.
• Execution Over Ideas: Discover why taking action and testing ideas is more important than protecting the “perfect idea.”
• Building from Scratch: Anthony’s journey shows how bootstrapping and learning through doing can create scalable, impactful businesses.
• The Power of Letting Go: Learn why knowing when to exit a business is as important as starting one, especially when passion diminishes.
• Entrepreneurship as a Lifelong Journey: Anthony emphasizes why starting a business isn’t just about profit but about solving problems, growing personally, and making an impact.
About the Guest:
Anthony has launched, scaled, and sold six companies, and now he’s on a mission to help other great founders do the same. Known for his no-nonsense approach, Anthony is all about sharing the unfiltered truth of entrepreneurship—scratches, scrapes, scars and all.
When he’s not working with founders on their launch or exit strategies, he’s either building something new or fixing something he's inadvertently broken.
Links:
Fast Five Questions
1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “Start a service-based business like window washing or lawn care, using minimal resources to build fast income.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Holding on to hires who don’t fit the business needs, even when they’re great people in the wrong roles.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “StrengthsFinder—a guide to focusing on your strengths and hiring around your weaknesses.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “Adobe Creative Suite for branding and design, paired with ChatGPT for ideation and content creation.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “Being able to live by your values and serve the people you choose, creating a life of intentional service.”
About Jeff:
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/
Connect with Jeff:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/
Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!
Subscribe to the podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
Leave us an Apple Podcasts review
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.
