The Start – Up Life
Hi guys,
No, I haven’t started any start – up yet :p This post is about the problems faced by start – ups and entrepreneurs all around the world, especially in their day to day life.
Startups get a lot of press. They have to overcome several challenges to taste success. Like they say, “Ek aag ka dariya hai, aur doob ke jaana hai” (You have to swim through fire to get to your destination).
Well, I am not the stero-typical startup founder, hell bent on solving a billion dollar problem or evangelising whatever comes my way. But there is one thing, which overlaps with startups to a large extent – Entrepreneurship from scratch. In fact, rather than the websites or mobile apps they build, it is the rags to riches story which is more important to learn from.
After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and leaving a cozy job with a private coaching classes, I took the plunge couple of years back to be a full time blogger. Sharing my 0.02$ on the problems I encountered along the way;
a) Aap ki beti karti kya hai?
It is the most difficult thing in the world to explain your Baroda wali masi what “Blogging” is all about. Forget talking about monetisation, sponsored content, social media, followers, etc etc. I have a very convenient solution for this – I am practicing as a Chartered Accountant (This is the bare minimum use of my 5 years of hard work for completing CA)
b) $$$$$$
Ok. So now you have developed a loyal visitor base. Google knows that you know some cool stuff about beauty, makeup, etc. But how do you monetise all of that? Ad sense is going down the drain since quite some time now. And then you start getting these nightmares. Did I screw up by choosing to come out of my comfort zone? Should I go back to the 9 to 5 job and a stable income?
c) Peer pressure
Facebook updates, LinkedIn updates. Someone just got promoted to a manager. Someone has shifted to Dubai. Someone is out on a foreign business trip. Wow. People from my batch are doing awesome in life. They are earning 7 figure salaries. And how much am I earning? Shit. I am not even close. <Panic mode>
And the list goes on and on…..
But at the end of the day, all said & done, Entrepreneurship is the most satisfying thing ever. To quote Liquid guru from Pyar ka Punchnama, “Kutto ka koi Sunday nahi hota, Kutte Har Din Kutte hi hote hai”.
Entrepreneuship gives you the freedom, flexibility & potential, way more than a 16th century Bell Curve policy determined 7% increment and a rigid corporate structure ever will. :p
Here is a fun video that shows some start- up problems made by www.vistaprint.in
As you saw, the CEO himself is the assistant, secretary, peon, etc. all in one. From the lunch buffet and high tea at five star hotels to the vada pav and cutting chai, the transition is very difficult!
Are you a part of the start – up life? What problems do you face daily?
P.S: I am loving the TVF Pitchers and desperately waiting for the final 5th episode which will be live this Sunday, have you seen it yet?