So you want to be an entrepreneur?

Aki Ranin
Bambu
Published in
2 min readMay 7, 2018
Legendary job ad posted by Polar explorer Ernest Shackleton.

A while back, I wrote an email to a potential candidate about joining our team. If you’re thinking about starting your own company, joining as a co-founder, or making a career out of startups, you may find this helpful.

The way to think about this <startup> opportunity is starting your entrepreneurial career. It's very different to corporate life.

We’ll give you a basic salary, commission on sales you bring in, and you’ll build equity over time. Basic insurance and frugal business expenses. The rest is on you. There are no guarantees, and no special perks, but the upside is why you do it. It will be an adventure, and you will get your hands dirty.

It’s a conscious decision you have to make. You won’t keep up with the Joneses as an entrepreneur. No fancy cars, no jet-set lifestyle. If you want that, you need a steady corporate gig. It’s a rat race, but a very comfortable life.

We’re giving you a unique chance to get in a high growth business early, with a self-directed role that will grow with your success.

If you have doubts, go with <big company>. Nobody would fault you on that one. If <startup> feels right, we would love to have you on the team.

Any similar advice you’ve received and/or given for hopeful entrepreneurs? Please share so we can benefit, too.

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Aki Ranin
Bambu
Editor for

Thinks about the future a lot. Founder of two startups. Lives in Singapore.