A four-step process, honed by a Tampa entrepreneur, will help you overcome failure

Area businesswoman Joy Randels has launched 13 technology startups and raised more than $300 million. She's bought 17 companies and sold nine.

With a background like that, Randels is a good source when it comes to learning from failures. She spoke about that topic at a recent F*ck Up Nights event, also known as FUN. Entrepreneurs share what they've learned from their biggest mistakes with budding business leaders at these events. (FUN is a worldwide program that's reached 53 countries and more than 140 cities.)

Randels was the first of four presenters at a FUN event held Jan. 14 at Tampa's Cigar City Cider & Mead. Randels says she's figured out a formula for success, but it came with trial and error. One of those errors, in particular, cost her $1.7 million.