I read your post and two things jumped out that I would like to address.
#1: You are exhausted
Rightly so! Building a company, keeping it alive, and selling it is exhausting in the best of circumstances. You do need a break. But please, don't do "nothing". Don't go back to work. Don't start another company just yet. But don't sit on a couch with a beer in your hand either.
Travel, exercise, pick up a new sport or hobby, perhaps learn how to play chess well. Keep your mind and body occupied in a productive and positive way. The exhaustion and built up tension will go away.
#2: You're not good at anything and feel like a failure
How wrong you are! You are not a failure. You have super-valuable skills, but just don't know how to name them and sell them.
You attempted two experiments that did not pan out. You provided jobs for people. You even managed to have a small albeit fruitful exit in your second venture. Wow!
Sorry to hear it did not pan out the way you've hoped. That happens more often than not.
Your skills: management & leadership, plus whatever hard skills you have.
Your future:
If you are feeling restless and want a job now, look for positions in companies that match your skills. Middle management in big firms. Upper management in small firms. Something that fits with your area of expertise and something you enjoy doing. It may be sales, marketing, or tech. Your experience in leadership and management that you acquired while running your firms, coupled with any amount of hard skills is a very marketable skill.
On the other hand, if you have already founded two companies, my crystal ball tells me you will go on to start a third. Don't do it now to fill a void. Do it when your gut tells you its time and your mind proposes a viable idea. This may be after six months of learning judo, or after a two year stint at a big corporation. Entrepreneurship is a trait, and it seems you have it in you.
What a ride you've been on!
I read your post and two things jumped out that I would like to address.
#1: You are exhausted
Rightly so! Building a company, keeping it alive, and selling it is exhausting in the best of circumstances. You do need a break. But please, don't do "nothing". Don't go back to work. Don't start another company just yet. But don't sit on a couch with a beer in your hand either.
Travel, exercise, pick up a new sport or hobby, perhaps learn how to play chess well. Keep your mind and body occupied in a productive and positive way. The exhaustion and built up tension will go away.
#2: You're not good at anything and feel like a failure
How wrong you are! You are not a failure. You have super-valuable skills, but just don't know how to name them and sell them.
You attempted two experiments that did not pan out. You provided jobs for people. You even managed to have a small albeit fruitful exit in your second venture. Wow!
Sorry to hear it did not pan out the way you've hoped. That happens more often than not.
Your skills: management & leadership, plus whatever hard skills you have.
Your future:
If you are feeling restless and want a job now, look for positions in companies that match your skills. Middle management in big firms. Upper management in small firms. Something that fits with your area of expertise and something you enjoy doing. It may be sales, marketing, or tech. Your experience in leadership and management that you acquired while running your firms, coupled with any amount of hard skills is a very marketable skill.
On the other hand, if you have already founded two companies, my crystal ball tells me you will go on to start a third. Don't do it now to fill a void. Do it when your gut tells you its time and your mind proposes a viable idea. This may be after six months of learning judo, or after a two year stint at a big corporation. Entrepreneurship is a trait, and it seems you have it in you.
Best of luck!