The Story Behind Favoriot - Part 17: The Fine Line Between Inspiration and Bragging

The Dilemma: To Share or Stay?Silent?

As I reflect on the journey of growing FAVORIOT, one question has always been at the forefront of my mind: Should we share the stories behind our successes or remain quiet and let the results speak for themselves?

I’ve often pondered this tricky balance.

Some believe in working silently, revealing success only once it becomes undeniable. On the other hand, people are curious; they want to see progress, witness small victories, and learn from their journey.

So, how do we balance being open and relatable without seeming boastful?

The Early Days: A Team Fueled by?Passion

When we first started FAVORIOT, the energy was undeniable. We were a small team united by the vision of transforming how IoT could revolutionise businesses and daily life.

The excitement was palpable, but so was the uncertainty. I often asked myself, “Should we share our journey with the world? Should we discuss our vision, milestones, and progress?” I wrestled with the idea of staying silent. “No, Mazlan, keep it quiet. Let the work speak for itself,” a voice in my head said.

But at the same time, I knew that trust is built through openness and sharing the journey, not just the destination.

The Power of Storytelling

I’ve always believed that stories are what connect us. They bring people into your mission, making them feel like they’re not just buying a product but becoming part of something larger.

“So why not share?” I asked myself.

“Wouldn’t sharing our small wins show others we’re genuine and making real progress?” Startups thrive on building momentum, after all.

A few people even encouraged me, saying, “Mazlan, people want to see how a company grows. They want to learn from your journey, the ups and the downs. Sharing those stories can inspire others and create a positive vibe around your business.”

The Doubts: Criticism and?Envy

But with the excitement of sharing also came the inevitable doubts. I realised that sharing too much could open us up to criticism.

People might misinterpret what we say. A small victory could easily be seen as bragging. Worse, some might become envious and even hope for our downfall. “Do I want to attract that kind of negative energy?” I asked myself.

The fear of inviting unwanted attention was real.

There’s also the risk of setting expectations too high. “What if we don’t meet them? What if people start doubting the authenticity of our story?” I thought. “Mazlan, if you keep showing every little success, people might think you’re exaggerating,” a close friend told me.

That struck a chord. I didn’t want FAVORIOT to be seen as all talk with no substance.

Finding the?Balance

Ultimately, I realized the answer wasn’t about choosing one extreme—silence or constant sharing—but finding a balance.

The stories we tell need to be authentic.

They need to show the human side of the business, not just the successes but the challenges, struggles, sleepless nights, and small wins that keep us moving forward.

It’s about being?honest.

People can tell when a story is genuine. They can sense when you’re sharing because it’s meaningful, not because you’re seeking attention. And when you’re authentic, they relate to you more deeply.

Trust is built through those authentic connections, which is crucial in business.

Emotion vs. Success Stories: The Right?Mix

So, how do we balance emotion with success stories? Here’s how I see it: we share enough to let people know the heart of our company, the struggles we face, and the small victories we achieve.

We don’t paint a too glossy picture, but we don’t focus solely on the challenges.

There’s a delicate balance between being open about your journey and avoiding oversharing.

We must show people the progress, the hurdles we’ve overcome, and the small wins that push us forward. But we do it with honesty. We’re transparent, but don’t overwhelm people with too much noise.

Navigating Criticism: Staying True to Our?Mission

Of course, there will always be those who view any success as bragging. That’s unavoidable.

But I remind myself that not everyone will root for you. That doesn’t mean you should stay silent. The key is how you share your story.

It’s not about boasting; it’s about connecting with people. It’s about showing them that success isn’t a straight line upward but a journey filled with twists and turns.

Looking Back: Lessons Learned from Sharing the FAVORIOT?Journey

Looking back, I’m glad we shared parts of the FAVORIOT journey. It helped us build a community, create trust, and inspire others walking similar paths.

We also learned to be mindful of how much and when we share. We don’t need to broadcast every detail, but we also don’t need to keep everything under wraps.

It’s all about balance—giving people enough to understand our mission and feel the emotion behind our work without overwhelming them with too much.

The Importance of Authenticity in?Business

It’s about staying true to who we are as a company and being thoughtful about how we tell our story.

We’re not just building a business; we’re building relationships.

Those relationships are strengthened through genuine, heartfelt stories of success and the journey to get there.

FAVORIOT’s growth is a testament to the power of finding that balance. By being open and honest and sharing our victories and lessons, we’ve connected with people on a deeper level.

That connection is what continues to drive us forward.