GRIT
From Nothing to Something:
Lessons Beyond the MBA Classroom
SEPTEMBER 2025
Image designs for this article webpage are generated using Canva
Kate Liu-Bevan
Author
In 2019, I was traveling through Africa for client work when I met a fellow traveler whose story has stayed with me ever since.
He had arrived in the United States in the 1980s as a refugee from an Asian country, along with his wife and one-year-old son. They had almost nothing—no English, no connections, barely any money. Yet they refused to rely on government support. His wife ran a tiny sewing shop out of their cramped condo, while he washed dishes in restaurants.
Over time, they saved every penny and bought their first small condo. They renovated it themselves and gradually learned everything—from managing finances to understanding trades and handling contractors. Today, he runs a property business worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
“Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.”
- William Butler Yeats
When I asked him for advice, he hesitated. “I don’t know if I can tell you anything,” he said softly. “I only had primary school education. I couldn’t speak English when I arrived. You’ve had an MBA and worldly experiences—maybe there’s nothing I can teach you.”
I was so taken by the humble demeanour of someone who has travelled such an extraordinary journey in life. There was golden advice there, I knew it, so I insisted till he shared the essence of his journey:
"There are many limits in life, many. The choice becomes whether you focus on the limits, or focus on an action you can take. Start where you are. Take it one step at a time. Do the work yourself at first so you really understand it. Keep going. Don’t worry about how small you start or how far you have to go."
His story reminded me that having no resources can sometimes be the best resource for business success. Scarcity forces creativity, prudence, and discipline, shaping a solid foundation that underpins sustainable growth.
At the same time, it cultivates traits essential for individuals and leaders: the ability to take action, however small, make deliberate choices, stay grounded, and build momentum through consistent effort over time.
MBA programs naturally focus on frameworks and tools, but the lessons that truly inspire often come from the examples we see around us.
"Start where you are. Take it one step at a time. Do the work yourself at first so you really understand it. Keep going. Don’t worry about how small you start or how far you have to go."
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Start where you are, even if it feels small or impossible.
Learn by doing—experience every part of the work before delegating.
Perseverance and consistent effort outweigh pedigree or education.
Limits are real only if you let them hold you back—focus on actions within your control.
Scarcity can be a powerful teacher, building creativity, prudence, discipline, and a strong ethos in any business.
