A Cautionary Tale Of Business Failure And Resilience

Starting a business is often seen as a bold leap into the unknown. For Marie Chevrier Schwartz, founder of the once operational Sampler, it was also a labor of love and a testament to her vision of connecting brands to consumers through the power of sampling.

Schwartz courageously shared her story of business failure in an interview with Doug Soltys, Editor in Chief at BetaKit, on stage at SaaS North in front of hundreds of founders. The reality is that a large proportion of businesses fail, and many of those founders witnessing Schwartz’s story may have the misfortune of walking down that same path.

Schwartz has chosen to share her story, not as a tale of defeat, but to let others whose businesses have failed that there is hope. Her candid reflections are a reminder that failure, while painful, can be a powerful teacher.

The Story of Sampler

Sampler was born from a simple yet revolutionary idea: help brands deliver samples to the right consumers through a digital platform. Gone were the days of handing out products at random on street corners or stuffing them into mailboxes without context. With Sampler, brands could target specific demographics and track the effectiveness of their campaigns.

The concept took off quickly. Investors saw the potential, and partnerships with major consumer goods companies validated the business model. The team grew, and many celebrated Sampler as a game-changer in the marketing industry.

At its peak, Sampler was a thriving business. It seemed to have it all: a growing user base, enthusiastic investors, and partnerships with top-tier brands. But despite its promising trajectory, Sampler ultimately floundered.

As the business grew, so did the challenges. The rapid scaling strained Sampler’s resources and team. Operational inefficiencies began to creep in, supply chain issues proved to be disastrous, and the business struggled to maintain profitability.

The tipping point came during an economic downturn when Sampler’s clients were pulling back on spending, and revenue plummeted. Attempts to pivot came too late, and the business was unable to recover.

Schwartz had to make the difficult decision to wind down operations. “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I felt like I had let everyone down – my team, my investors, and myself,” she says.

Lessons in Failure

Schwartz’s journey with Sampler has given her a wealth of insights that she hopes can help other entrepreneurs avoid similar pitfalls, and she shares this insight with you:

1. You are not alone

In the entrepreneurial world, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Many businesses, even those with great ideas and strong starts, face challenges that lead to failure. In fact, failure is a common part of the journey; more businesses fail than succeed.

This doesn’t diminish your efforts or vision as it’s a reflection of the risks that come with building something new. What matters is how you rise after the fall, learn from the experience, and decide to move forward. You are part of a community of entrepreneurs who understand this struggle, and support is always within reach.

2. Your business is not your identity

It’s easy for your business to feel like an extension of your identity. After all, you’ve poured your time, energy, and heart into building it, so when things don’t work out, it can feel like you’ve lost a part of yourself. The sense of failure can be deeply personal, leaving you questioning your worth or abilities.

It’s important to remember that while your business is something you created, it is not you. Your value, creativity, and resilience exist beyond any venture, and this experience is just one chapter in your story; not the whole book.

3. Share the news in your own way

As people reached out, she found herself too emotional to recount the story over and over again. Instead, she leaned on her network and chose to share her experience openly on social media. Her raw honesty resonated deeply with others, sparking meaningful conversations and an outpouring of support.

What she didn’t expect was how her vulnerability opened doors to new opportunities, from collaborations to mentorship roles. By sharing her journey authentically, she not only found healing but also paved the way for her next chapter.

Moving Forward

Today, Schwartz has found new purpose in helping other founders navigate the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. She speaks candidly about her experience, encouraging others to embrace failure as part of the journey. “Failure doesn’t mean the end,” she says. “It’s a chapter, not the whole story.”

The bottom line is that Schwartz’s story of Sampler is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. While the business may have failed, the lessons have been learned, and the lives touched endure. For founders facing their own challenges, her message is clear: You are not alone, and you have the strength to rise again.