Failing My Way to Success

Steve Lobel has been sharing his story for many years. Once owner of a beloved gourmet food market, Cowan & Lobel, he is now vice-president of a successful independent insurance agency, an angel investor to entrepreneurs and a philanthropist who loves to give back to his community. This is the same community who helped him when he was in the worst professional shape of his life. Failing My Way to Success is an inspiring read that documents several personal and business failures that eventually led Lobel to success. Lobel began giving Failing My Way To Success as a talk to college students many years ago. Based on its popularity, he then shared it with entrepreneurs and business leaders. The talk was deigned to inspire and encourage anyone who dreams of possibilities. Lobel said, “When I began telling my story the feedback was incredibly motivating. Even though it was hard to talk about failure, the more I told it, the better I felt. It has become cathartic. Over the years I’ve had students and professionals tell me that it has changed their perspectives and their lives. This is simply one of the many reasons I continue to share the story and have written this book. It may sound odd, but I hope to encourage others through my failures.” Failing My Way to Success is full of practical lessons and inspirational advice for business students, young entrepreneurs, mid-career seekers and anyone confronting defeat on the way to prosperity, stability and peace of mind. Lobel said, “I believe my story has inspirational messages and life lessons anyone can take away and apply.” Three decades ago Lobel opened The Cheese Connection, a specialty shop that inspired taste for gourmet food. Lobel became well known in the region when he co-founded the gourmet market Cowan & Lobel, which helped to transform Stuyvesant Plaza, a local outdoor shopping area, providing it with a new level of sophistication. Failing My Way to Success reveals the story of what really happened compelling Lobel to part ways with partner Cowan leaving his dreams behind. Shaken by the loss of Cowan & Lobel, Lobel engaged himself in a new venture that ended in financial disaster. Professionally and personally he hit rock bottom and his life fell into a state of total disarray. Lobel shares his struggle through these times and lessons learned that has ultimately led to his current success. “After reading it through, I hope people come away with less fear and actually welcome the possibly of taking a risk in life. Failure is an event and not a person. It’s really important to know and to honor oneself. The former president of University at Albany, Karen Hitchcock, reviewed the memoir and said, “Failing My Way to Success is a searingly honest account of an individual’s willingness to risk everything to achieve his dreams. In the revealing and beautifully written narrative, Steve Lobel offers a powerful message of persistence and courage of caring and giving back, one which will benefit all of us.” Lobel has won numerous awards for his public service. He is a major contributor to the Capital Region through his contributions as an angel investor and his dedication to the arts and social services. Formerly chairman of the board for the Albany Symphony Orchestra, he lifted the orchestra to new heights. Lobel is also an accomplished documentary photographer. His 2006 book Recognition Beyond Burned documents the stories of burn survivors and accompanied an exhibition of powerful, compassionate portraits. He has practiced socially conscious portraiture including documenting at-risk children in Nicaragua. In 2009, he co-founded the Center for Documentary Arts at The Sage Colleges. Lobel said, “I believe my story of both failure and success resonates with everyone on some level. Each time I tell the story it is my hope that it opens a new door for someone to share their difficulties and discover how they can transform their own life experience.”