What did a Start-Up Teach me?

It’s been 3 months in my startup journey and boy it is a rollercoaster ride. On March 7, 2019. Me and my friend decided to start a business with no knowledge. My life was getting predictable and “secure”.Honestly, I was getting bored. So I decided to take an adventure in my life. Staring a business has taught me many valuable lessons and has brought tons of changes in my life. I hope this article can bring a different perspective to your life and teach you any lessons that can help you understand yourself.

1: Everything is a business.

When I say everything, it’s everything. Education, Health and pharmacy, Music, Flim or bank you name it. It’s all business. The money is flowing from consumers pocket to the corporate. An important part of the business, in particular, is very alarming. It is called Marketing. We consume ads every day. To look at the power of ads. A creative ad can pull my trigger so effectively that I am compelled to by that product. This knowledge made me aware of my internet consumption. Now business doesn’t only include evil profit hoarding suckers, there are CEO’s who are aware of their influence on the world. I think entrepreneurs have a major shot in changing the world. It is not only about funneling the cash but for me, it has more to do with creating something that helps people with employment or services that will ultimately make our lives more connected and inspired.

2: I am responsible for it.

It’s on me. Good or bad, it’s on me. I started it, I performed it so I am responsible for it. Having a startup is not a one task completion, it’s a one-man show. You are the designer, the coder, the manager, the marketing expert, the finance person, the attorney, the chairman, the clerk boy, the cleaner and even the CEO, right? Basically, you do everything and if it works? Great now move on to another task, but if it doesn’t? Still great you learned something new now do it better. You will be the last wall of your business.

3: Listening is greatly misunderstood.

Part of an entrepreneur needs to be a great communicator. Communication includes listening, speaking, understanding and explaining. Listening and speaking are the top layer of communication. The tricks are played in explaining and understanding the conversation flow. I am still having a hard time still listening to the other person, like really listening. Not looking at the micro subject but the macro context of the conversation. I struggle with a sense of entitlement in explaining stuff to people. It is a learning process and I get it. But Communication is a deep subject. If we can really communicate at a deeper level, I think we can change our worlds.

4: Patient was no more a word for me. It became a living reality.

I thought, to be patient means being in an hour-long line with no complaints. Easy, I did that many times, I am patient. WRONG. It’s waiting for a few seconds before a harsh comment on the design you just made that you thought was perfect and to listen to the suggestion and the faults. Patient meant, working long hours on something that has no result for months and still working on it. For me, being patient was a subtle awareness about myself and my internal monologue. What was going on my head? Was I thinking too much? It has a whole new meaning for me.

Alright, Let’s keep it short and simple. I don’t want to sound like an expert on any subject. I am not an authority to say what you should do. You are the one who does it. My role comes in sharing my perspective and listening to your perspective, that way we can both learn from each other and improve ourselves.

Thank you so much for sticking to the end. I wish you all the best wishes in your own little adventure.

Change yourself, then the world will change itself.-Manoj Pun.