How my biggest challenges shaped the lessons I learned running a startup.

Mathieu Ajan
Aug 27, 2017 · 3 min read

When I first launched Teardusk, I never for a moment anticipated the amazingly challenging journey I was about to embark on. Teardusk was born out of my own personal experiences. I struggled to break into the creative industries and wanted to make it easier for other young people to kick start their careers. I was a young boy from Peckham (brap, brap) who knew he wanted to do something that would impact my community but didn’t know how.

I had no networks, no money and no clue!

So I did what came natural, I learned on the go.

And learn I did. I’ve met some life changing people along the away, collaborated with amazing people on projects and my biggest challenges birthed my greatest lessons. From opening my first office and struggling to keep up with rent to physically breaking down and watching my health slowly go down the drain. (Currently on the road to recovery!)

In the past I’ve been somewhat reluctant to be open about my experiences. Then i realised that was selfish. The stories of others, from online bloggers to mentors and friends opening up about their trials and triumphs, really shaped and inspired my journey so it’s only right I use mine to hopefully be of service to others.

So here it goes. These are some of the lessons I picked up on the way since launching Teardusk.

You are not a robot.

Working in any shape of form can be both physically and mentally draining. Rest is important. I learned this the hard way. I was literally working 7 days a week (if there was an eighth day I would surely have been there too.) Sure, with the amount of hours I was putting in I was making a lot of progress and money, however, life is transactional. The more energy you put into things the more it can take away from you. In this case my health really got hit. Hard. I wasn’t sleeping, spending time with my family or socialising. I became so obsessed with work I forgot about the simple pleasures of life, the things which truly keep you alive. This experience was a beautifully dark lesson for me, as whilst I was out of action it gave me the necessary rest and reflection time to remind myself why I embarked on this weird and wonderful journey of entrepreneurship in the first place.

Do your work. Then walk away.

Running a startup in any shape of form will involve a lot of pitching, proposal writing and project planning. With this comes an emotional attachment to projects to the point where you can’t imagine life itself without a particular project coming to life. Ever heard the term don’t put all your eggs in one basket. It’s easy to put all your energy into one project and lose sight of other opportunities knocking on your door. My advice, learn to be promiscuous with your projects. By all means do the work, just don’t get caught up once you’ve done all that needs to be done. Walk away. Move onto the next project and the universe will take care of the rest.

There is no one way to be an entrepreneur.

In a world flooded with self help books and how to guides, it’s easy to lose yourself a bit and question whether your doing things ‘the right way’. Take a moment and remind yourself you are special. The reason you won your first client or hired your first team member is because of who you are. Yes, grow and take inspiration from others just make sure you retain a great understanding of self and never feel you need to completely transform who you are to fit a mould. (Unless your doing a really bad job, then yes by all means fix up!)

Overall the biggest overarching lesson I’ve learned is to embrace challenges and it’s ok to mess up sometimes, where’s the fun in getting everything right 100% of the time. Often what we perceive to be misfortune is really a lesson in disguise. So as crazy as it sounds, bring on more mistakes. (not too many!)

Whether your an entrepreneur or working professional. What have been some of your biggest learning experiences? I would love to hear your stories.

​Warmest

​Mathieu.

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Mathieu Ajan

Written by

I'm a social entrepreneur, artist and recovering avocado addict. Currently building @teardusk @bouncecinema Ambassador @oneyoungworld @o2 info@mathieuajan.com

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