The Paradox of Founding: Why Do People Want to Be Founders in the First Place?
Welcome to NoBa Connect: Insights - an insider into the workplace evolution for investors, sector experts, business leaders and those interested in shaping the workplace for happy workers.
Bi-weekly, we delve into the trends, challenges, and opportunities that fuel worker-first solutions.
Welcome back from summer. We are starting a new four-part series exploring what it takes to be a founder and to navigate the path to success in start-ups. In the future of work, more people are joining the founder journey - whether that is to try and build something big or just to build their own one person business. So let's explore more the life of this unique breed of worker.
Over the series, we will look into why people become founders, what it takes to achieve start-up success, the complex maze of investors and their motives, some of the ways people have broken through to success and much more.
In this edition, we examine the question: Why do people even want to be founders in the first place?
The Harsh Realities of Being a Founder - it's a terrible job!
The Emotional and Mental Strain:
Let’s start with the emotional rollercoaster. Founders experience more ups and downs than a yo-yo in the hands of a caffeinated toddler. One day, your product is coming together, the team is energised, and the future looks bright. The next day? Everything’s falling apart—your MVP just crashed and your lead developer is considering quitting and your stress levels are through the roof.
The pressure is relentless. Every decision feels monumental, every failure personal. It’s easy to feel isolated, even whilst surrounded by people. The early days are often the hardest—full of uncertainty, with no clear path to success.
The Financial Uncertainty:
Then there’s money—or the lack thereof. Founders often trade in the stability of a steady paycheck for the hope of building something of their own. Sounds noble, right? But here’s the catch: startups burn cash fast. You’ll likely pour your savings into the business, max out credit cards, and maybe even borrow from that one friend who still believes in your dream.
Fundraising is its own beast. Picture speed dating, but instead of searching for a soulmate, you’re trying to convince a sceptical investor to fund your idea. It’s exhausting, nerve-wracking, and, even when you think you’ve nailed it, the process can drag on for months, leaving you scrambling to keep the lights on.
So, Why Do People Choose to Be Founders?
The Power of Vision, Passion, and Creation:
Some of the best founders are driven by vision. They have a burning desire to solve problems, innovate, and, sometimes, change the world. It’s this passion that keeps them going when the going gets tough. This internal fire pushes founders through late nights, early mornings, and countless roadblocks, all in pursuit of making their vision a reality.
“When you find an idea that you just can’t stop thinking about, that’s probably a good one to pursue.”? – Josh James, Co-Founder of Adobe Analytics (formerly Omniture)
Then, there’s the thrill of creation. Founders get to build something from scratch—a product, a culture, an entire company. There’s nothing quite like launching something new and seeing it come to life. All the stress, uncertainty, and sleepless nights melt away when you see your idea in the hands of real customers. You built this. It didn’t exist before, and now it does because of you.
The Potential for Freedom, Autonomy, and Financial Reward:
Another key draw? Freedom. As a founder, you’re your own boss. You call the shots, make the decisions, and steer the ship. Of course, that freedom comes with a lot of responsibility, but for many, it’s a trade-off worth making. The autonomy to build something aligned with your values and vision is a powerful motivator.
Look at Whitney Wolfe Herd, who was inspired by the abusive relationship she left in 2014 to build a dating app that would empower women. Her dating app, Bumble, breaks the traditional rules of heterosexual relationships and requires women to make the first move instead of men. She had previously worked at Tinder,? another dating app, and quit her job to create Bumble—which aligned with her beliefs and pushed for gender equality in online dating spaces as well as in? other spaces like the workplace where advances in equality had been initiated already. Her app was an early success, receiving over 100,000 downloads in only its first month, mostly among university students.?
This success demonstrates the potential for financial rewards. However, startups are risky, and many fail. But, for those that succeed, the financial upside can be life-changing. Founders who navigate the challenging waters of early-stage entrepreneurship often come out on the other side with a sizable equity stake. And let’s be honest: the possibility of a big payday is a pretty compelling reason to keep going when things get tough.
Balancing the Dream and Reality
Understanding the Trade-Offs and Needing Help:
Successful founders understand that it’s not all about the dream. Building a startup is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn and evolve. Founders who survive the early stages are the ones who understand the necessary trade-offs—whether it’s personal sacrifice or navigating difficult financial decisions.
“I never took a day off in my twenties. Not one.” – Bill Gates, Co-Founder of Microsoft
They also know they can’t do it alone. A strong support system—whether it’s a co-founder, mentor, or investor—makes all the difference. These people believe in your vision, offer guidance, and give you reality checks when you need them. They help you navigate the highs and lows, and, most importantly, they remind you why you started this journey in the first place.
The Long-Term Perspective:
Adi Dassler, founder of Adidas, started his shoe making career, at the age of 20 in a small town in Bavaria, Germany. He slowly progressed, asking for feedback from his customers, improving pain points and building a reputable brand for himself. When he finally registered Adidas in 1949, at the age of 49, he had been making shoes for 29 years. His first major spotlight, bringing him onto the world stage, was in 1954 when Germany won the World Cup wearing his shoes—by then he had been in the business for over half of his life.
What separates successful founders from the rest is their ability to stay focused on the long-term vision, even when the going gets tough. They understand that the path to success is paved with obstacles, but they’re committed to seeing it through. The chance to build something meaningful—to create, innovate, and make a lasting impact—is what makes all the sacrifices worth it.
So, why do people want to be founders? Because, despite the stress, uncertainty, and sleepless nights, there’s something incredibly rewarding about the journey. It’s not for the faint of heart, but for those who are willing to embrace the challenges, the potential rewards—both personal and financial—can be life-changing and the best start-ups can drive change and impact to change many more lives than just those of the founders.
And that’s what makes it all worth it.
In the next edition of this series, we’ll look in greater depth at what it takes to be a be a great founder - one that can guide a start-up to growth and beyond.
?? Portfolio News
??? NoBa News:
Until next time, Many thanks!
from the NoBa Team ??