I was pretty intimidated — and still am, frequently — by the idea of trying to create or join a startup. Perhaps you’re just out of school, flat broke, and thinking of getting into startups. If so, no problem: you have nothing to lose. But for people with a Stable Job in Corporate World, switching to doing your own thing can be pretty scary.
“How will I pay the bills?”, you might ask. “What if it all goes wrong?” ”How will this look on my resume?” “What will my friends think?” “Will my family understand what I’m doing?”
Well, to the last of those, I will answer “probably not”. Unless you come from a family of entrepreneurs, your fam will probably have no clue what you’re doing. This will make for lots of awkward holiday dinner conversations. Oh well.
Will you have to take a pay cut? Probably. In exchange for your Stable Corporate Salary you will get to work on an idea you are passionate about, in a work style you own, with a chance at more long-run financial upside. If that tradeoff of short-term money for immediate happiness, immediate control, and long-term financial potential sounds bad to you, stop now.
As for the optics, I guarantee you will become a more interesting person, both on paper (your resume) and in the eyes of your friends. You will be learning new things, meeting new people, stretching yourself. Simply by taking this risk you will be markedly different from everyone in Corporate World. If you go back, you will be noticed. And that’s a good thing.
Lastly, what if it all does go sideways in Startup World? Consider this: when you exit a stable job in which you’ve done well, it’s highly likely you can turn right back around and knock on the door you just stepped out of. All those people you just said goodbye to like you. They miss you. They might even envy you. And they will be happy to see you again.
Pretty good worst case, no?
Don’t be afraid of the start.
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