As we expand to more cities around the world, it’s easy to forget the impact we have on a local and even personal level for attendees and speakers alike. 

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Have you ever wondered how speakers REALLY feel about facing their own failures and a room full of strangers while holding a microphone? 

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We interviewed Walter Petla, one of the speakers at Fuckup Nights Paulo. His vulnerability and openness will definitely inspire you to #ShareTheFailure at your next local FuN. And if it doesn’t, that’s OK too ;)

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FuN: What was your initial reaction when you first heard the name "Fuckup Nights"?

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Walter: When I first came across the term "Fuckup Nights," my immediate reaction was a mix of curiosity and intrigue. Having been deeply involved in the nightclub industry for over a decade, the word "night" naturally piqued my interest, drawing me in to explore further. Additionally, the word “Fuckup” resonated deeply with my personal experiences, especially given the challenges I’ve faced since the beginning of 2022, when my club had to shut down due to financial struggles exacerbated by the pandemic. The nameFuckup Nights struck a chord with me, instantly making me feel a sense of connection, as if I had found a community that understood the struggles I had been going through.

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FuN: After the concept of Fuckup Nights explained to you, what were your thoughts on the idea of openly discussing and celebrating failure?

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Walter: I found the concept of Fuckup Nights remarkable. Openly acknowledging and celebrating failure is essential, given that failures often outnumber successes in our lives. Engaging in conversations about failure brings us closer to the reality that many people experience, making it a valuable and necessary dialogue.

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FuN: Can you share your own experience and relationship with failure? What’s your story when it comes to facing setbacks and challenges in your life or career?

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Walter: As I said at the beginning of my speech, "That was the day the father cried and the daughter didn't see."

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I started my entrepreneurial journey in 2011, after graduating with a law degree in 2004, practicing law, and finding that it wasn't fulfilling. I’ve always been involved with people in the worlds of culture, music, and creativity, which is why I opened a nightclub. Despite its ups and downs, it was always considered a success by the people who went there. But in 2022, due to the crisis caused by the pandemic, I closed it. But I didn’t just close it—I went broke; I went bankrupt.

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I had a few difficult moments in the past that I managed to get through. I tried to open a second club in a nearby, larger city that already had other options, but it didn't work out and I ended up losing money—though nothing compares to the end result.

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At the same time, in January 2020 (three months before everything shut down), my daughter, Nina, was born. And thanks to her, I had the mental resilience to get through all of this. Because since March 2020, I’ve been worried about saving my business, but also about preserving jobs and livelihoods. I spent a year paying rent and staff salaries, waiting for the pandemic to end—which never happened. After a year and three loans, I laid off everyone and returned the property. With the market reopening almost a year later, I still tried to reopen in a new location, which didn’t work out at all.

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And that led to bankruptcy, a loss of confidence in myself as a professional, and doubts about what to do from that point on. I fell into a deep depression—two months of being unable to get out of bed, except to be with my daughter. Along with all this came a marital crisis and a separation. And then began a long period of even greater difficulties: looking for work, looking for a place to live, and seeking mental health support. Because of the pandemic, I lost my assets and my marriage.

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But as I said in my speech at Fuckup Night Paulo, today all I have is my daughter. And that's worth more than anything I've ever had before her.

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FuN: In the face of failure, what valuable lessons have you learned? If there's one key takeaway from your own failures, what would it be?

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Walter: I've learned that we don't have control over everything. Even people who don't always mean well will end up doing you a favor in the end. Because at the end of the day, everyone's a little messed up. Some more than others.

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FuN: If you could offer a piece of advice to people who are struggling with their own failures or setbacks, what would that advice be?

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Walter: I would say: friend, you are not alone. A lot of people are in a bind for countless reasons, and that brings us back to humanity. In the heat of the moment, you’ll know who you can count on and who you can’t. Just don’t let the referee finish the countdown. Get up, even if it’s just to leave the ring, but get up. Losing isn’t bad. Being defeated isn’t bad. It’s all part of the show that is life. We screw up, we get back up, and life goes on.

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FuN: Why is discussing business failure important to you? What motivates you to share your own experiences and insights on this topic?

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Walter:Talking about failure as a group is about acceptance. You look to others—to the community that has been through similar situations—for reassurance that what you did wasn't wrong, but that it was part of the process.

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FuN: Looking back on your participation in the event, can you recall any particularly memorable moments or impactful words spoken by you or others that night?

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Walter: The whole night was unforgettable. From the way our host, Mariana Maciel, wove her story together to the subsequent presentations about setbacks and resilience. For me, the highlight was being able to express that anguish of feeling like a mess, of not having found a way out, and clinging to my love for my daughter to keep trying.

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FuN What would you say was the highlight of your experience at the Fuckup Nights ?

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Walter: Connecting with others who have also been through similar situations and are looking to find their place in the world again.

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FuN: If you had to describe the night using just one or two adjectives, what words would you choose to capture the essence of the event?

Connection and acceptance.

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FuN: Throughout your journey, both personally and professionally, what important lessons have you learned from facing failure and setbacks? Can you share any specific examples or moments that had a profound impact on your growth and development?

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Walter: Unfortunately, I'm still going through the grieving process. Whatm to focus on right now is building meaningful connections, whether they last just a moment or a lifetime.

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FuN: In terms of knowledge or insights gained, what is your main takeaway from participating in Fuckup Nights? Did the event give you any new perspectives or ideas?

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Walter: What I took away from my participation was the need to build a real support network—one that’s there when I need it. That’s what I missed the most, and it’s something I noticed other people also mentioned in their speeches during the event.

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Thank you, Walter! And a big shout-out to Mariana Maciel, our official Fuckup Nights in São Paulo!

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If you want to bring Fuckup Nights your city, click here.