The power of perseverance and determination: What every graduate should know

Ayrton’s journey began in the classroom. It was his teacher, Mrs Aileen Woulfe, who first introduced him to the world of marketing.  

That spark grew during his BBA at HIM Business School, when he attended a talk by Mr Karlström from The Magic Pencil. “His talk answered everything Mrs Woulfe had instilled in me,” Ayrton said. From that moment on, he knew exactly where he wanted to be. 

But knowing what you want doesn’t mean the path opens easily. Because of Ayrton’s limited experience, his application got rejected twice.  

Despite repeated rejection, he didn’t take no for an answer. He persisted, calling, emailing, and showing up.  

Eventually, Mr Karlström responded: “You’re a pain, but I’m impressed by your determination,” and offered him a two-week trial. It wasn’t a full yes, but it was a chance. And sometimes, that’s all perseverance needs. 

Takeaway 1: Persistence isn’t about luck or talent, it’s sometimes about showing up, even when doors are closed. 

At the time, Ayrton didn’t see his persistence as anything heroic. He just knew one thing: marketing was where he wanted to be, and an internship at Magic Pencil felt like the door into that world.  

Growing up with entrepreneurial parents had already taught him that progress rarely comes easily. “Sometimes, as an entrepreneur, you don’t have the luxury to stop,” he said. 

That period wasn’t easy. “I was often demoralised and felt like it was not going anywhere,” Ayrton admitted. What helped him push through was knowing he wasn’t alone.  

“I had people around me that kept pushing me. Often, when things are so hard, realising that you are not alone is the biggest thing.” 

Today, Ayrton approaches perseverance more intentionally. When he’s unsure whether to keep going or pivot, he asks a small group of trusted people: ‘Am I being stubborn here or should I pivot?’ If most voices say pivot, he listens. If not, he keeps going and reassesses later. 

Takeaway 2: Perseverance isn’t blind stubbornness; it’s knowing when to push forward, when to pivot, and who to ask for guidance. 

After a few years working at The Magic Pencil, Ayrton hit burnout. The constant pressure had taken its toll, and he realised he needed to pause before jumping into the next thing.  

“Andrea had to sit me down and tell me to stop sacrificing myself for others,” he recalled. That conversation taught him the value of boundaries; saying yes to himself and no to things that didn’t matter. 

“I had the privilege of having a partner like Andrea who gave me space for a year during my recovery,” he shared. 

During that year, he explored different ideas from opening a coffee shop to becoming a life coach, just to figure out what really fit him.  

“A conversation I had with a previous client told me to stop being an idiot and do what I do best, which is to project manage,” Ayrton shared. “Without Nathanael, the idea of Impakt wouldn’t have been born”. 

Even then, starting his own agency along with his life partner wasn’t without fear. “The scariest part was knowing we didn’t have a fixed salary,” he admitted.  

They carefully managed risk, paying themselves just enough to cover essentials and keeping a small buffer. But for Ayrton, the bigger lesson was protecting his well-being.  

“I wasn’t scared to fail,” he said. “I was scared of falling back into the pattern of sacrificing myself for work.” 

Takeaway 3: Sometimes, perseverance means pausing and protecting yourself. Burnout doesn’t have to end your journey, it can clarify it. 

As founders driven by perseverance and determination, it was inevitable that these values would shape the way Ayrton and Andrea built Impakt, their own marketing agency. From the very beginning, they shared one guiding principle: ‘people first’. 

“Our focus is always on how we can be there for our stakeholders in the way they need us,” he said. Instead of offering what’s easiest for the agency, they aim to provide solutions that actually solve their clients’ challenges and they ask for constant feedback to keep improving. 

Running your own agency comes with tough choices. “One of the hardest things is deciding which clients to work with,” Ayrton admitted. “Andrea and I ask ourselves: would we sacrifice our weekends and holidays for this client? If the answer is yes, we go all in. If not, we don’t take them on.” 

Determination isn’t just about pushing harder; it’s also about knowing when to step back. “I have Andrea for that, they’re my counterbalance,” he laughed.  

“If it was only me, I would constantly push, to the detriment of the team. Andrea keeps me grounded.” 

For Ayrton, determination today isn’t just personal, it’s about impact. “Now, determination means how it affects the people around me,” he said. To keep that focus sustainable, he sticks to a simple ritual: “I start my day playing video games or reading. It helps me centre my focus before all hell breaks loose.” 

With constant urgency pulling at his attention, this simple ritual of starting the day with something he loves helps him protect his focus and start the day with determination rather than stress. 

Takeaway 4: Perseverance isn’t just about relentless effort it’s about intentionality, balance, and making sure your determination serves not just you, but those around you. 

One of the biggest lessons you can teach yourself after graduation is how to handle rejection. “Rejection can stir a lot of emotions. It’s easy to think, ‘Am I not good enough?’ In marketing and in many industries, this self-focused thinking isn’t helpful,” Ayrton explained. 

Instead, a rejection simply means your proposal didn’t answer someone’s needs. Use it as a tool: learn from it, adjust, and focus on adding value. “That shift helps you deal with the most painful rejection,” he added. 

Building determination also means building a support network. “Learn to be vulnerable. Share your challenges with others… this creates a safe space for people to share with you, and suddenly you realise you’re not alone. There’s almost always a kind person right next to you,” Ayrton advised. 

For graduates stepping into uncertainty, Ayrton’s story is a reminder that perseverance isn’t a straight path but with the right mindset, support, and reflection, it can lead to something far greater than you imagined.