The Comeback Is Greater Than the Setback: What My 10-Year-Old Daughter Taught Me About Business
If you run a landscaping or garden design business, you already understand a tough truth:
setbacks aren’t optional — they’re guaranteed.
But the way you respond to them determines your long-term landscaping business growth.
Recently, my 10-year-old daughter taught me something profound about setbacks — and more importantly, about comebacks.
And this lesson hits home for every landscaper, garden designer, and business owner who feels like they’re carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders.
This story isn’t from a business book or a training course.
It’s a real, raw moment from an U10’s football pitch…
And it connects directly to the challenges you face on-site, in the office, and inside your own head.
Whether you’re looking for landscaping business coaching, trying to rebuild momentum, or simply needing a reminder that you’re not alone — this is for you.
When a Setback Knocks You Down
Last year, my daughter earned a place at Southampton Football Club’s ETC (Emerging Talent Centre). There are only 14 spaces available…
She trained hard. She was proud. She was thriving.
And then, at the end of the block… she was dropped.
Her confidence collapsed.
She questioned her ability.
She felt overwhelmed with anxiety — a feeling every business owner knows far too well.
Because setbacks in business feel exactly the same:
Losing a big job
A team member letting you down
Overheads spiralling
A cashflow crunch
A customer complaint
A quiet spell that makes you doubt everything
Or, in my case this year… losing a business I’d built for over 14 years
Whether you’re in football boots or steel toe caps, setbacks sting the same.
The Decision That Separates Winners From Quitters
After months of self-doubt, my daughter made an incredible decision:
“Mum, I want to try again.”
No excuses.
No waiting for confidence to magically appear.
No hiding.
She asked to re-trial for Southampton ETC.
They offered her a 5-week trial window — pressure-filled, emotional, and full of uncertainty.
But week after week, she turned up.
She worked harder.
She pushed through the nerves.
She refused to let her original setback define her future.
And then came the message:
She passed the trial. She’s been accepted until the end of the season.
She didn’t just come back.
She came back STRONGER.
And her journey reminded me of my own…
My Own Setback: Losing My Landscaping Business After 14 Years
What many people don’t know is that earlier this year, my landscaping business — the one I’d grown for more than a decade — went into liquidation.
It was due to a combination of a difficult employee and huge overhead pressures.
It was gutting.
It was embarrassing.
And honestly, it shook my confidence to the core.
But watching my daughter step back into her arena showed me something:
The comeback is always greater than the setback —
IF you choose to step back in.
This became a turning point for me personally… and professionally as The Landscapers Coach.
What This Means for Your Landscaping or Garden Design Business
Whether you’re seeking garden design business help, support with landscaping business growth, or simply trying to steady the ship — here’s what both stories reveal:
1. Setbacks aren’t the end — they’re the lesson.
They highlight what needs to change.
They reveal weak systems, poor hires, or unprofitable work.
They show you where to rebuild smarter.
2. Confidence is built through action, not thinking.
My daughter didn’t wait until she “felt confident.”
She acted first — and confidence followed.
3. The comeback starts with one brave step.
Reconnecting with past clients
Raising your prices
Fixing your overhead structure
Outsourcing your first admin task
Investing in real landscaping business coaching
Making the call you’ve been avoiding
These actions start the comeback.
4. All great business owners have scars.
They show resilience, not weakness.
5. You can rebuild better than before.
Leaner.
Smarter.
More profitable.
More stable.
More intentional.
Setbacks are uncomfortable…
But they’re also invitations to rebuild in a way that guarantees future success.
Where Do You Need a Comeback Right Now?
Ask yourself honestly:
“Which part of my business needs a comeback?”
Is it:
Cashflow?
Staff management?
Pricing and quoting?
Systems and admin?
Marketing?
Overheads?
Customer communication?
Your own mindset or confidence?
Whatever your answer — you can start the comeback today.
Because if a 10-year-old girl can walk back into the place that once crushed her confidence…
Then you, as a business owner with experience, skill and drive, can absolutely rebuild your business stronger than before.
If You Need Support With Your Comeback… I’m Here
I’ve recorded a full podcast episode on this story and how it relates directly to landscaping business coaching and real-world business strategy:
🎙️ “The Comeback Is Greater Than the Setback”
Inside, I break down:
The full journey of my daughter’s setback and comeback
My own business liquidation story
What it taught me about leadership, resilience and rebuilding
The exact steps you can take to create your own business comeback
How to grow your landscaping or garden design business after a difficult season
And if your business is in a tough spot — or you simply want to grow without the overwhelm — remember:
You’re not done.
You’re not broken.
And your comeback can start right now.
Keep going,
Paula
The Landscapers Coach