P.T. Barnum, founder of one of America's most popular early circuses, succeeded in spite of many failures and setbacks throughout his life. Barnum left school at the age of eight to help out in his father's store. When Barnum's father died a few years later, the boy took over the store and opened a number of other businesses. By age 20, the young man had made quite a success of his enterprises. But in his 50s, Barnum entered into a business deal with a swindler who ran off with all their money, leaving Barnum $500,000 in debt. He spent ten years laboring to pay back his creditors.

Then, all of Barnum's business enterprises failed. Rather than give up, he decided to open a museum of oddities. When the museum burned down, leaving Barnum in debt again, he started a traveling circus show. Soon, Barnum's circus was famous throughout the nation.

-- As told by inspirational speaker King Duncan http://www.goodstories.com