Shikha Gupta Valjee’s Post

#StartupLife #EntrepreneurLife #SpousalSupport Hey everyone! So, I had a pretty interesting moment today. My wife left me a cheeky little note that read: "if you have found this note you'll be RICH(>$1,000,000) till the end of the year (kiss your wife or it will not come true)" It’s a playful reminder, and honestly, it got me thinking about how much our partners go through while we're busy building our startups. 🤔 Here are a few key points to consider: Emotional Rollercoaster: Building a startup often comes with stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. Our partners feel the ups and downs right along with us, which can impact their mood and energy. Crazy Schedules: Between late-night brainstorming sessions and last-minute deadlines, our partners may find themselves feeling neglected or left out. That imbalance can strain relationships. Support System: Just like unofficial cofounders, they offer us encouragement and help us navigate the tough times. But they also need suppo... How Can Startup Founders' Wives Inspire Success and Wealth? Answers:  https://lnkd.in/gTksxJbX Let's Connect! Have you faced similar challenges? Share your insights and experiences. Let...

🚀 The Real Struggles of Early-Stage Founders: A Candid Discussion As someone deeply immersed in the startup ecosystem, I've had the privilege of working closely with founders who are driven by a desire to build something extraordinary. Along the way, I've gained invaluable insights into the challenges they face on a daily basis. 🔍 Identifying the Problems Overwhelming Workload: Day in and day out, founders face an avalanche of tasks and responsibilities. Saying no becomes a Herculean task when every opportunity seems critical to the success of the venture. Impostor Syndrome: Feeling like an imposter is more common than we admit. Despite their achievements, many founders battle with self-doubt and a persistent fear of being exposed as frauds. Fear of Cribbing: In a culture that glorifies hustle and resilience, expressing frustration or seeking help can be perceived as weakness. The pressure to maintain a facade of unwavering confidence can be suffocating. 🔧 Proposing Solutions Embrace Vulnerability: Founders, it's okay to admit when things are tough. Opening up about your struggles fosters connection and allows others to support you. Vulnerability is not weakness; it's a strength. Prioritize and Delegate: Learn the art of saying no. Focus on tasks that truly move the needle and delegate the rest. Building a reliable team is essential for sustainable growth. Cultivate a Support Network: Surround yourself with fellow founders who understand the rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship. Seek mentorship, join support groups, and don't hesitate to lean on your network during challenging times. Practice Self-Compassion: You're not expected to have all the answers or to be flawless. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small, and learn from your setbacks without self-judgment. These insights stem from my experiences working closely with founders who are passionate about building amazing products and shaping the future. Together, we've navigated through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, learning valuable lessons along the way. Let's break the taboo of silence surrounding the real struggles of early-stage founders. By fostering a culture of authenticity and support, we can empower entrepreneurs to navigate the highs and lows of building a startup with resilience and grace. 💬 What are some other challenges you've faced as a founder, and how have you overcome them? #Founders #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #SupportNetwork #Vulnerability #Resilience

If Something Feels Off, It Probably Is 🎯 You know what's funny? One of the most common questions startup founders ask is "How do I know if what I built isn't working?" 🤔 Let's get real for a second. I totally get why this is such a tough call - you've poured your heart and soul into building something. Plus, we've all heard those magical turnaround stories: "We were about to give up, then BOOM! 🚀 Overnight success!" And that's exactly what makes you think, "Maybe I should stick it out just a bit longer..." After all, nobody wants to be that person who stopped digging when gold was just 100 meters away, right? 😉 But here's a game-changing perspective I just came across: "A founder's biggest competitive advantage is their ability to face brutal truth before anyone else." Oof. That hits different, doesn't it? 💭 What do you think? Have you ever had that gut feeling something wasn't working but kept pushing anyway? Share your story below! 👇 #StartupLife #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessTruth Tag a founder who needs this reality check today

The real MVP of a startup isn't the founder. I had a pretty deep conversation with another founder yesterday. And we both had a laugh when sharing about our weekend plans. We're both planning something fun with our partners. It's not what a typical "alpha-founder" would do or say. A typical answer would be "to catch up on work" or "having meetings with investors or advisors". And yes, often that is the case for me too. There are phases when it's super busy. But this is exactly the point of my post. The real MVP of a startup is the founder's partner. ➡️ They endure the ups and downs alongside you. ➡️ Supporting 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 pursuit of an ambitious dream. ➡️ Accepting a temporarily lowered standard of living ➡️ Adapting to your busier, more hectic schedule ➡️ Cheering you on as you go through the startup roller coaster. So when there's a chance to have a fun weekend with my wife, I'll take it. I'm not going to be ashamed to say I visited a museum last weekend with my wife :) And I'm so glad the other founder was really excited for the weekend with his partner too. Appreciate your partner for the vital role they play in your entrepreneurial journey. So, what are your weekend plans? 😄

My last year has been turbulent... yet incredibly exciting! Stepping into the role of a startup founder has been a journey filled with invaluable lessons. Here’s what I’ve discovered so far: 1. Embrace the chaos and pivot without losing momentum: The startup world is unpredictable, but this mindset has helped me turn challenges into opportunities. 2. Managing limited resources forces to make tough decisions: I've focused on what truly moves the needle, prioritizing areas that drive growth and efficiency. 3. Building a team that shares our vision is so crucial: Following the principle of "hiring for attitude, training for skill," I've brought on passionate individuals who are dedicated to our mission. 4. Balancing speed to market with quality is a priority to move forward: We're all about making progress, not waiting for perfection, and continuously improving based on feedback. 5. Balance in such a demanding schedule is key: From starting my day at 5 am to sometimes wrapping up after 2 am, maintaining equilibrium remains a constant pursuit. Perhaps this is a lesson I'm still learning... This journey so far has taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, strategy, teamwork, and personal growth. I'm excited about the road ahead and eager to tackle whatever comes next in this exciting entrepreneurial adventure! #StartupJourney #EntrepreneurLife #EmbraceTheChaos #ResilienceInBusiness #TeamBuilding #GrowthMindset #ContinuousImprovement #BalancingAct #PersonalGrowth #StartupFounder #StartupReality

🚀 The Art of Knowing When to Shut Down Your Startup by Aaron Harris Partner at Y Combinator As founders, we often celebrate successes, but it's equally important to discuss the challenging decision of when to shut down. Having gone through this myself, I want to share some insights: 1. The Zombie Trap 🧟♂️ It's tempting to keep a struggling company on life support. But beware - this "zombie mode" can drain resources and morale. Sometimes, a clean shutdown is the braver choice. 2. Stakeholder Considerations 🤝 • Investors: They understand risks, but hate being misled. Be transparent! • Customers: A gradual decline in service is worse than a clean exit. • Employees: The hardest part. Be honest and help them transition. 3. The Decision Framework 📊 Ask yourself: a) Any growth ideas left? b) Can you grow profitably? c) Do you want to work on the resulting startup? d) Do you want to work with your current co-founders? 4. The Emotional Journey 🎢 Shutting down is tough. It feels like admitting failure. But remember: • It's a sign of maturity and business acumen. • It frees you for new opportunities. • Most successful entrepreneurs have faced this. 5. The Aftermath 🌅 • Short-term: It's normal to feel down. Give yourself time. • Long-term: Many founders find this experience invaluable for future ventures. 6. Reframing Shutdown 🖼️ Instead of viewing it as an end, see it as: • A learning experience • A chance to reset • An opportunity to apply lessons to your next venture Remember, the ability to make this hard call is a crucial entrepreneurial skill. It's not about never failing; it's about failing smart and fast when necessary. Have you faced this decision? How did you handle it? Let's discuss and learn from each other's experiences! 👇 #StartupLife #EntrepreneurialJourney #BusinessDecisions #StartupAdvice #FounderLessons

Ever wondered what drives a startup’s success amidst all the chaos? I really enjoyed reading the interview with Flawless' Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Nick Lynes, in Authority Magazine with Yitzi Weiner. It's always inspiring to hear the 'rhyme and reason' from our leaders, especially when the day-to-day craziness of startup life can sometimes overshadow the bigger picture! Some key takeaways that stood out to me: 🔹 Solve a Real Problem: Startups often get caught up in selling an idea, but real success comes from addressing a genuine problem for people or businesses. Before seeking investor backing, ask yourself, "Is this truly worth my time?" Brutal self-awareness is key. 🔹 Vision and Resilience Are Essential: Building a successful startup isn't just about having a great idea. It demands a steadfast commitment to your long-term vision and a deep well of resilience. Embrace the ups and downs, knowing that the real reward is the growth and self-discovery along the journey. 🔹 The Power of an Outstanding Team: Success hinges on hiring talented individuals and creating a culture rooted in honesty and shared purpose. As Peter Drucker famously said, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast," and that’s especially true for innovative startups. Check out the full interview on our website — link in the comments!

💡 I've noticed something interesting: the most crucial founder decisions aren't about complex financial models or fancy metrics. They're about answering one fundamental question: "Where should we focus our limited time and money RIGHT NOW to reach our next milestone?" 🚗 Think of your startup like a car with a small petrol tank. You can't drive everywhere at once. You need to pick the route that gets you to your next destination before running empty. Sometimes that means challenging assumptions or spotting blind spots. Last week, a founder came to me with six exciting growth opportunities - from geographic expansion to new product lines. Rather than saying no, we transformed these ideas into a clear roadmap. Now they're executing their first initiative with focus, knowing exactly what success looks like before moving to the next. That's the power of turning "we could do everything" into "we will do these things, in this order." ✨ That's what gets me excited - finding paths to growth while keeping you safe. Together, we: - 🎯 Map out what success looks like for your next milestone - 📊 Break down which activities truly move the needle - 💰 Calculate how long your money will last with different choices - 🚀 Build momentum by focusing your team's energy where it matters most The best part? When we get this right, everything else becomes clearer. Your team aligns around priorities. Your runway makes sense. Your progress becomes measurable. I've seen too many brilliant founders burn out trying to do everything at once. You don't have to. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is say no to good opportunities so you can say yes to the great ones. 🎯 Got multiple paths to growth but limited resources? Message me to explore how we can turn your opportunities into a focused roadmap for momentum. #StartupFounder #SeedStage #StartupCFO #FounderJourney #UKStartups

The toughest part of building a startup is going from zero to one. In those early days, you have almost no resources and barely enough capital. It’s an uphill battle. The truth is, the system is designed to weed out weak founders. It’s a test of resilience. Every challenge, every roadblock feels like it could sink your entire vision. And trust me, it’s tough—emotionally and mentally. But that’s the point. Only the strongest, most determined founders make it through. If you can survive the zero-to-one phase, you’re not just building a product—you’re building a foundation on grit, persistence, and problem-solving with limited tools. So if you’re in that stage right now, hang in there. The struggle is where real founders are made. #StartupStruggles #ZeroToOne #Resilience #EntrepreneurLife #FounderJourney #Perseverance

Looking back, it’s funny to see how naïve I was as a first time founder. I blindly believed the numbers we plugged into our excel sheet. Hundreds of employees and millions in revenue within no time. A combination of naïveté and arrogance to build a startup faster and in areas where others had failed. I booked intro meetings with all the top tier VCs. My ego loved it and I was convinced this would be part of the job when I needed their millions to scale. The more I told the story, the more I began to believe it. But then the setbacks started. Pivoting away from the first idea, wasting a year, and making almost no money. That excel model was looming over my head and I haven’t opened it since. Now, having founded three ventures, I've learned a few lessons: 1. Good Things Take Time: Patience and perseverance are crucial. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and rushing can often lead to mistakes. 2. If It’s Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is: Early on, I was enamored by overly optimistic projections and promises. Now, I’m more skeptical and prefer to base decisions on solid evidence and realistic expectations. 3. Setbacks Are Inevitable: Challenges and pivots are part of the journey. Each setback is an opportunity to learn and grow, shaping a stronger and more resilient business. 4. Build a Community: A lot of our success comes from talking to customers on LinkedIn every day. Engaging with your community helps you understand their needs and fosters loyalty, driving continuous improvement and innovation. 5. Focused Networking: Instead of chasing every top-tier VC, I now focus on building meaningful relationships with partners who understand and are genuinely interested in the vision and journey of the company. 6. Team Over Ego: Building a culture where failing is okay and learning is key is crucial. Open communication and clear incentives create a strong, dedicated team. Success is a collective effort driven by the team's combined skills and passion. To all the first-time founders out there, embrace the journey, learn from each misstep, and stay resilient. The path to success is rarely a straight line, but with each twist and turn, you'll gain the wisdom needed to navigate it. The Picture is from Michael and I in 2018, him joining helped set us on the right path. #startup #entrepreneurship #lessonslearned #secondtimefounder #resilience