Once in a while, a great story pops up about a startup life and experiencing growth, going on hiring sprees, and closing huge round of funding to fuel expansions.
I love reading those stories. I especially enjoy it when it happens to be someone I know! I get excited and cheer for them because it’s the pivotal moment many startups strive to reach. It’s a time for celebrations.
But for every startup that made it, there are casualties that we don’t ever hear about unless it was a giant flop. Forget the ones that were VC-funded, parent-funded, or “FILL IN THE BLANKS”-funded that were not able to make their business model work.
I’m not talking about the startups that were offshoots from established companies either.
I am writing about the uglier side of things…startups where the team (not just the founder or co-founders) struggle to make ends meet. Sweet success stories motivates, so the other side of the coin should equally give perspective.
WHY IS IT STILL SURPRISING?
If you get a chance to look behind the curtains of many startups, you’ll see a different picture and come to grip with the fact that this startup life is, well, painful. I’ve seen so many entrepreneurs, myself included at times, wearing our sufferings like a badge of honor and parade it around to prove we’re a startup, doing our thing, and almost begging for sympathy.
Phrase like “Yea, just trying to make it work,” or “Been working all weekend bro,” or “I have been sleeping in the backseat of my car for 6 months.” Reflecting on those phrases it made me realize something big…Are entrepreneurs that oddly oblivious to the hardships of a startup? Haven’t there been enough articles about the hardships and struggles of entrepreneurship?
EMBRACE THE PAIN
Things look great on social media. Many of us post the best videos, as raw as it may be, it’s still the best of the worse. We talk and discuss about authenticity, transparency, mindsets, positivity, and other very encouraging themes that entrepreneurs and hustlers need to hear – and I’m 100% with it.
I believe it helps other aspiring entrepreneurs push forward despite setbacks. For that, I am grateful for the community.
But let’s get ever more real…what about the missed credit card payments, or the insufficient fund fees because you don’t have enough money to cover the car insurance payment, or the fact that you can’t go out with your friends when money is tight not because you are so busy, or coming close to losing your home.
Friends, this is beyond just using your credit card to fund your business. This is life unfolding before your eyes.
Yea, those are all ugly demons that will never surface on social networks. It’s embarrassing. It’s demoralizing. But it’s also the truth. So how much truth can we, as a community really handle? I’d be lying if I have an answer for this. I don’t know.
But here’s what I know. If you are going through these things, trust me. YOU DON’T WANT TO GIVE UP. You might come close to throwing in the towel, but I implore you not to. Instead, dig deep and continue pushing forward because as bad as today may seem, tomorrow is waiting for you with a fresh start.
As long as you are breathing, you have to pick yourself up from yesterday. When you embrace the pain, you will be unbreakable.
Your “TODAY” does not deserve baggage from your YESTERDAY.”
ENJOYING THE GLORY
By the time your startup reaches cruising altitude, you will have scars to tell of the battles, emotional moments you’ll hold on to, and lessons you can share with others. There is no doubt that you deserve every second of the better days. But remember, you did not get here alone, so celebrate it together.
It’s not about the fancy things you can now afford. It’s not about the expensive shoes you can buy. Or the lavish vacations in Summer. Those things are nice to have, but will not be a true expression of your success.
They euphoria doesn’t last.
The real glory, the real enjoyment of your success is in the ways you start to inspire those who come after you. Giving even more back to the community that supported you throughout your journey. Mentoring to people who remind you of yourself.
Helping other’s find solutions to their problems. Investing back into your teams. Those are valuable tangibles that define success.
SUMMING IT UP
Let’s not play tea time anymore. If you are telling me you had no idea how hard starting a new business was, you’re lying to your team, your supporters, and worse…yourself.
Embrace the painful experiences as part of the game. You can either quit or play. It’s your choice.
But don’t claim ignorance when shit hits the fan. If you are ready to launch a business,be ready to hold yourself accountable for your grit, growth, and glory.
