Count It: How Many Times These Business Leaders Tried Before They Succeeded (Infographic) The founder of Pandora reached out to investors 300 times before getting funding. And James Dyson invented 5,126 failed vacuum cleaner prototypes before getting one right.

By Catherine Clifford

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

The only way to be sure you never fail is to never try. So, if you want to be an entrepreneur, buckle your seatbelt for a bumpy ride.

Epic inventor Thomas Edison generated 10,000 prototypes for electric light bulbs before getting it right, according to the infographic below, created by San Francisco-based startup organization Funders and Founders. And Colonel Sanders, the founder of KFC, was rejected 1,009 times when he tried to sell his fried chicken recipe.

How many times have you tried and failed so far? What's your secret to keep trying again? Leave us a note below and let us know.

Click to Enlarge+

Count It: How Many Times These Business Leaders Tried Before They Succeeded (Infographic)

Related: Life Advice From 18 of the Wealthiest People in History (Interactive Graphic)

Catherine Clifford

Senior Entrepreneurship Writer at CNBC

Catherine Clifford is senior entrepreneurship writer at CNBC. She was formerly a senior writer at Entrepreneur.com, the small business reporter at CNNMoney and an assistant in the New York bureau for CNN. Clifford attended Columbia University where she earned a bachelor's degree. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can follow her on Twitter at @CatClifford.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Buying / Investing in Business

Risky Bets or Safe Plays? Here's How to Find the Perfect Portfolio Balance

A successful investment strategy blends diversification, self-awareness and regular rebalancing to manage risk and seize growth opportunities.

Business News

UnitedHealth Group's Former CEO Is Returning to the Role — and Receiving a $60 Million Award

Stephen Hemsley is back in charge after leading UnitedHealth Group from 2006 to 2017.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Side Hustle

She Quit Her Job at Trader Joe's After Starting a Side Hustle With $800 — Then She and Her Brother Grew the Business to $20 Million

Jaime Holm and Matt Hannula teamed up to build a business in an industry that "didn't exist" yet.

Buying / Investing in Business

Former Zillow Execs Target $1.3T Market

Co-ownership is creating big opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Business News

Starbucks Employees Aren't Happy With the New Dress Code

Some Starbucks employees are walking out over the changes.