How I Dealt with a Major Product Pivot: Entrepreneurship Struggles
For the past 1.5 months, I have been making a watch dial. It seems to be an abrupt change from what I had been doing, which is fairly true. A year ago, I was evaluating startups as an Associate in a Venture Capitalist firm. 6 months ago, I was asking software developers to teach me HTML/CSS/ReactJS so that I could code out a dynamic website to build a luxury watch marketplace.
The switch came with it its fair share of comments and concerns.
I remember vividly as I mentioned to my girlfriend my intention to make a watch dial. We were having Chinese food in the western part of Singapore for dinner and I ‘casually’ mentioned the change. “I decided to not make a website in my free time and switch to making a watch.” Her face was a whitewash of shock. I quite remember that classic mouth drop. Of course, she did offer her support, albeit after some questioning on the decision. She too thought that it was a big switch.
She wasn’t the only one who questioned the change. Software developers whom I worked with to build a website also displayed varying levels of disbelief. Frequently, a QnA session usually ensue after the initial revelation.
I tried hard not to act on the responses I have been getting from people around me, but to say that I did no form of self justification for my actions would be untrue. The first thing I did was to focus on the problems on the previous product and gave reasons on why they were insurmountable. The second justification was why making a watch dial was more profitable. The third was that I had more expertise in making a physical rather than a virtual product.
With each justification I gave, I got more critical on the reasons I was giving. Are these reasons justified? Are they really the reasons for the switch? Slowly, the thought process did progress to questioning the basic reasons as to why this is the path worth embarking on — Is this even worth doing?
It is very easy to doubt everything when things do not work out. I thought I knew what I was getting into, choosing to do this over the perceived stable job and income of a salaried employee. I thought I knew my calling and that I was close to clear that this is the career path I wanted. At that point of pivoting the product, I wasn’t so quite sure myself. And more so than ever, I question if these things that I chose to define myself as, should continue to define me. That, was a scary thought.
My salvation? Time, relationships (especially with your co-founder) and a supportive community of entrepreneurs. They give the no-nonsense type of support. The No questions ask kind of support. The leap of faith support.
I clearly remember the strongest support I got. It came from my co-founder. I was sharing with him the story of MOVAS, a fellow watch company started in the early 2000s. Just like us, MOVAS was started by two founders. A few years in, one of the co-founder succumbed to cancer. With his death came uncertainty over the future of the company. It was a struggle, but the sole founder left decided to continue. Now, MOVAS is doing well and making a name for itself. After finishing the story, my co-founder replied, albeit through telegram: “if u die i’ll carry on. dont worry.”
That was just about all I need.
It had been a good journey thus far.
I have since moved from the turbulent times of the pivot. At this very point, I am more excited than ever before to create a fabulous watch dial. A little more excited than the previous pivots we had. There are tons of learning I’ve made since embarking on this new direction and documenting them down seems the best way forward to retain learned information.
Another reason I want to write our story, struggles and lessons here is to make the journey accessible to all. John, our new member to the team who joined us about a month ago asked about the failures in the startup ecosystem in Singapore. It became clear that big players in the industry, VCs, accelerators and ecosystem builders focus on selling the success story, a small piece of the puzzle. What is mentioned lesser than the failures are the struggle, headaches and stress that are ever present while on the journey. It be great if our journey becomes the celebrated success story. If it is not, than the least it can be is a great story to read online.
I hope you will look forward to my writings. I do updates on my instagram page as well. The photos above are snippets of the enamel watch dial I am making. Loving that pure white look it gives!
