Let an entrepreneur be

This post is dedicated to entrepreneurs — all of em.

It’s more fun to be a pirate than to join the navy.
— Steve Jobs

And this post is meant for everyone around entrepreneurs — friends, family and everyone in their social circles

8 years ago, when I chose to join my first startup by accepting a massive salary cut, my friends and family thought I have lost it. An year later, when the startup didn’t show any signs of success, I moved on to join another. My close ones thought, I have nothing left inside me now. 4 years later when this company got acquired and I didn’t make any money out of it, they got assured that I need to be put in a rehab. But wait, there was some consolation prize here — the merged entity offered me a job. A very nicely paid job. Relief!

Now everyone thought I am doing good in life and finally all my education and wisdom is being put to great use. However, an year later, on a morning, I broke the news that I am fed up working in that environment and want to quit. Friends got worried. Massively worried. “Quit and do what”?

I said “my own startup”. Some laughed. Some pitied. Some called/emailed me to express their concerns on why that’s a bad idea. I loved all these people. But listened to none. Two years have gone by since then. I tried with one idea. Failed. Tried with another. Saw early signs of success. I pushed the pedal with a great co-founder and team. For a change, things seem to be working now. You will hear the WebEngage story on TV today.

Did I just try to tell you a startup-underdog-who-comes-out-with-flying-colors story? NO. Absolutely not. Apologies if it came out that way. I am miles away from where I want to be. The problem is that I can’t tell you where I want to be. Because, very humbly put, you won’t understand it. Entrepreneurs are wired to be different. They can see things beyond the obvious. You are not helping by telling them obvious things.

Contrary to the popular belief, an entrepreneur is NOT a businessman. The former has a much larger goal than ONLY making money. But again, I won’t be able to explain because … I have a humble request — if you are close to an entrepreneur, be a part of his/her vision. Don’t be cynical. Please be the force of good. The guy will most likely fail. However, if (s)he succeeds, and you were a part of the journey, you’ll understand what the heck was this guy thinking. The problem is, when you get there along with the entrepreneur, you won’t be able to explain it to someone else either.

- Avlesh