Imagine devoting your entire childhood to one dream, just that watch it crumble just as you are ready to achieve it. That's exactly what happened to me when my lifelong goal of becoming a professional soccer player was shattered at the age of 19. What felt like a devastating life crisis turned out to be the push I needed toward a career as an entrepreneur.

I was born in Miami, but when my family moved to Hyderabad, India when I was 5 years old, it introduced me to a whole new world. School has never been my thing; football was my true calling. At the age of 14, my passion caught the attention of the Indian national team manager and I got a chance to train with one of the top German teams. It was a huge opportunity, but the reality of adapting to a new culture at such a young age was overwhelming.

My football journey continued at Ellesmere College in the UK where I played for the varsity team. But, despite all the hard work, a professional contract saved me. The alternate path led me to play soccer at Monroe College in the U.S. Although we won the NJCAA Division I national championship, I often found myself on the sidelines, realizing I wasn't good enough to go pro. It was a devastating blow.

The day I accepted that my dream of becoming a professional footballer would not come true is etched in my memory. It felt like my world was falling apart. Everything I worked for was gone. I felt unfair and unmotivated. I had reached the bottom. But then I found a new path at Babson College, where I went on to play NCAA Division III football and where I joined eTower, a vibrant entrepreneurial community that reignited my passion for building and creating ventures. Not only did it give me a renewed sense of purpose, but it also helped me overcome it the feeling that you are not good enough.

Surrounded by people who were as driven as I was, I started Kickstart Sports, a consulting business that helps athletes in India find opportunities in Europe and the United States. The pandemic cut that venture short, but opened up new opportunities. In 2020, I worked at Compstak, a real estate data company, took a role at a real estate hedge fund in China, and ran a VR/AR sneaker startup. All these experiences eventually led me to create DesignAIa company that uses technology to redesign how cities are built.

My entrepreneurial journey has been far from straightforward, filled with failures and successes, heartbreaking disappointments and rewarding celebrations. Along the way, I persevered and rolled. Here are three key lessons that have shaped my journey and how you can apply them to yours, even when you feel like you're not good enough.

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1. Rebuild confidence and find a new purpose

When my football career ended, I felt like I had lost a big part of myself. HAD rebuild my faith from the beginning. This wasn't just about finding another job; it was about rediscovering who I was outside of football. I got into new activities – rugby, student organizations, networking with people from different backgrounds. This exploration was crucial in helping me find a new sense of purpose, which eventually led me to entrepreneurship.

My advice: Actively seek new experienceseven when it's uncomfortable. You will discover what really excites you, what motivates you and what you excel at.

2. Build and use a strong support system

During this difficult transition, I learned how important a solid support system it is. I reached out to mentors, leaned on friends who understood my struggles, and even found therapy incredibly helpful. This network became my lifeline, providing emotional support and practical advice. One thing I did that worked really well was to send monthly updates to my mentors and key connections. He held me accountable and made sure I stayed on their radar for opportunities.

My advice: Build a support system with people who can I challenge youthey support you and help you see things from different perspectives. And, most importantly, keep those relationships alive because they will continue to provide the support and feedback you need to get through the struggles.

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3. Embrace failure as a stepping stone

The failure of my football dream was a harsh wake-up call, but it taught me ENDURANCE. I had to face the reality that life doesn't always go according to plan, and that's okay. I began to see failure as a learning opportunity, a chance to grow and orient myself. Books like The Psychology of Money AND The hard thing about the hard things helped reinforce this mindset. I learned to reflect on my setbacks, draw lessons and use them to guide my next steps.

My advice: Don't be afraid of failure. It's a vital part of the entrepreneurial process and it's what helps you refine your approach and keep moving forward. Every failure or setback is an opportunity to improve – with your business or career.

When my soccer dream was shattered and I realized I wasn't good enough to succeed down that path, I learned that resilience, a solid support system, and embracing your failures are critical skills, especially for entrepreneurs. Challenges will come and the road will be bumpy. But if you surround yourself with the right people and refuse to back down, you can create your own version of success.