This morning, when unlocking my phone, I saw a notification saying “On this day - two years ago”, and a photo of me doing the first Pillbie pitch 🏆.
After two years, to me it seems that we have done a lot, and at the same time that we’re still nowhere close to being finished. I guess (hope) that’s the feeling most of the founders have faced at one point. 🔀
It’s also a good moment to reflect on this incredible journey and share some insights into why being a startup founder can be a thrilling adventure, as well as the reasons why you should never try it. 🛑
Building a Strong Network 🤝: As a founder, you can connect with a diverse range of professionals, investors, mentors, and partners who can help you grow your business and provide valuable insights. As the cherry on the cake, most of them are extremely fun to be around. We also got a chance to travel a lot and visit some of the places we wouldn’t have otherwise.
Isolation ⛔: Ironically, more often than not it feels like you’re on a deserted island. You’ll get feelings of isolation, having no clear idea where to go or who is a friend and who is a foe. It can also be extremely hard to explain the unique challenges you’re facing, dragging you farther away.
Continuous Learning 📖: The startup journey is a crash course in entrepreneurship and personal development, giving you the feeling of learning more in a year than you might in a decade in a traditional job. With all the acceleration programs and hubs available, there are no limits to the knowledge you can acquire.
Mental and Emotional Strain 😵: It is a long journey, and you can't but ask yourself “Will this ever end”. From feeling that you have been here before to having no idea what the next step should be, it often happens that you just want to come off the roller coaster, no matter how fun it is. I truly believe entrepreneurship is addictive, and like any addiction, it leaves a void if you don’t get your hit every now and then (and the dry periods can be long).
Personal Growth and Recognition 📈: Simply put, you become a more confident and capable individual. People will know you (or introduce you to strangers) as “the guy with this amazing idea”, and you will get at least some attention from the startup community, media, or your general surroundings. It also puts you in a position to help others who are taking the journey, which is also a great experience.
Failure 🌩: The stark reality is that most startups fail, and even though you're reminded of that fact daily, the thought of it can be a tough pill to swallow (pun intended ). The glooming cloud of failure is even harder to bear if you’re coming from a smaller society, where failure is considered a closure rather than a stop to success.
All in all, it's still a unique experience! Here's to the next two years of rollercoaster! 🍻🚀💊
#startupjourney #startuplife #enterpreneurship
