BENDIGO businesses and entrepreneurs will be hearing how they can turn their mistakes into success at the third annual Festival of Failure.
Business owners Melanie McCarthy, Ben Roulston and Ian Watson will be sharing their wisdom at the BeeHive Building on Thursday night.
"It's really about getting people to stand up and talk about experiences they've had that could be considered failures - epic failures, monumental mess ups," festival director David Hughes said.
"Failure isn't a destination. It's just part of the journey of life, it's inevitable, and we can all learn something from it.
"The real intent is to inspire people to try and not to have a fear of failure."
Ms McCarthy, who was awarded the 2018 Exceptional Woman in Australia Resources award, has grown from moments of failure to create her own business called Leading for Success.
"She will be great to hear from," Mr Hughes said. "She has experienced some failures in life, but she's now an award-winning person who has established a business that is all about inspiring people to be better leaders."
Read more: Inspired after failing
Mr Roulston turned a life-changing moment of devastation into his greatest success.
"He says his company THINKA was born out of a business that completely failed," Mr Hughes said. "That business seemed to be doing well and had all these people on board.
"But it basically all went completely wrong. He ended up bankrupt and completely depressed. But now with THINKA he's kicking massive goals. It's a really great story."
Mr Watson will share how taking the risk to change careers can lead to the greatest rewards.
"From a very early age, he wanted a very specific career in mind," Mr Hughes said. "But then his course changed after he failed in that career and now he's thriving."
Mr Hughes said his involvement in the festival encouraged him to take his own risks in life.
"I remember the first year we did this, there were some great stories," he said. "Hearing from the different people inspired me to create the Bendigo Invention and Innovation Festival.
"I had this idea that was big and bold. I wasn't sure if I should do it but then I reflected on the Festival of Failure and I thought, if it doesn't work, what's the worst that could happen?
"The Festival of Failure was the driver of the innovation festival and now its been a great success."
The Festival of Failure will run on Thursday night from 6pm to 8pm at the BeeHive Building on Pall Mall. More information about the event can be found here.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
