From Corporate Life To Entrepreneurship
And how I'd leap differently if starting over.
I jumped into entrepreneurship after 8 years in the corporate world.
If I were to start over today, here’s how I'd lead differently:
- Build a personal runway
- The more cash you have, the less likely you are to give up.
- Aim for at least an 18-month runway.
- It runs out faster than you’d expect.
- Start as a side hustle
- Forget the “All In or Go Home” mentality.
- A side hustle can save you some stress and sleepless nights.
- De-risk as much as you can, especially if you’re not fresh out of college.
- Stick to your field
- Being your own customer is ideal.
- If that’s not an option, get as close to your audience as you can.
- Otherwise, dedicate at least a year to working in the industry you want to enter.
- Customer before product
- Your ideas might be brilliant, but set them aside for now.
- Identify who you’re aiming to serve first.
- Let them help you solve their problems.
- Get your life partner’s onboard
- They don't need to join your venture, but their support is crucial.
- Consider them your investor, advisor, and supporter.
- Their blessing is non-negotiable.
- Self-fund your venture
- Avoid the rush to raise funds.
- Start with your own money.
- Stay lean.
- Leverage government grants
- Explore every government program available.
- Use these resources to fund your launch.
- Ask fellow founders for help.
- Don’t go at it alone
- The entrepreneurial journey is a very lonely one.
- Find co-founders you trust to partner up with.
- Don’t be selfish nor cheap.
- Prepare for the long haul
- The journey will be harder than you’d expect.
- It’ll take longer than you’d hope.
- Just keep going.
Looking back, I see many paths I would’ve taken differently. But I hope this can offer you some guidance if you're contemplating the leap.