Startup Lessons I Learned (the Hard Way)
I started a company two and a half years ago, leaving my job and comfortable lifestyle behind. Reading startup books and articles, I knew it would be difficult and that I was entering uncharted territory.
Throughout my ongoing startup journey, I’ve learned a lot of lessons — often times, learning the hard way by failing or fighting an uphill battle. Here are some of the lessons that I’m learning and continuing to work on:
NETWORKING IS KEY.
When I went to business school, networking was emphasized time and time again. However, until I started a business, I didn’t realize how connections are critical to your business’ success. There are countless times that I went to an event (that I didn’t want to attend), only to meet someone that opened numerous doors for me. Often times, you build your network and don’t use those connections immediately. So network like crazy!
TIME IS MORE VALUABLE THAN MONEY.
I bootstrapped my company and continue to do so as of today. It’s more challenging and puts constraints on certain aspects of the business, but it goes to show how far money can go. There have been numerous occasions when I said no to an expensive opportunity or found a cheaper solution because money was scarce. However one thing that is more precious — your time. Use it wisely. You can’t say yes to everything and you can’t do everything. Invest your time where it matters most.
STARTUPS AREN’T GLAMOROUS.
Startups are cool and exciting — we see it everywhere. When I tell people that I started a company, they are jealous that I get to work from home and control my schedule. While these are nice perks, startups aren’t glamorous — it’s really hard work. You put in the extra time, you give up social activities and you take risks. As the founder of a company, all decisions rest on you. There are moments when it is difficult. Just remember to stay focused on your passion and push through the challenges.
TAKE TIME FOR YOU.
When I think of the startup life, I think of late nights, lots of coffee and crazy hours. While this is often true, that doesn’t mean you have to work yourself to exhaustion. You can’t work your best if you aren’t thinking clearly. Force yourself to take breaks, focus on your friends/family and take some quality me time. Unless something big comes up, I always take Saturdays off. I put away email and focus on the present. It’s a great way to reset at the end of a week.
I’m still learning and navigating the startup world, and I’m sure that there will be more lessons to discover. There are other lessons that changed my startup journey, but these four are the ones that resonated with me most.
