Why am i doing a Start-up?

This is the most asked question to me in last couple of months. However funny part is question followed by answer that too from the person asking it. Basis the responses, one thing I can say for sure, reasons behind entrepreneurship are still misunderstood by majority of people. Reasons as people understand are far removed from reality. I’ll leave topic of money as motivator for some other time, rest I’ll try and take a shot at explaining from an entrepreneur’s perspective-

1. Like uncertainty – ‘NO’ we entrepreneurs don’t like uncertainty. I won’t say we hate them either (hate being such a strong emotion). Yes, entrepreneurs are more comfortable dealing (something which comes naturally) with uncertainties than others because we prefer to be well prepared to handle them. But under no circumstances this comfort should be mistaken for liking. Difference lies in the way we deal with uncertainties and ensures that objectivity is not lost.

2. Don’t like doing job – We ‘LIKE’ job as much as you. Entrepreneurship is a challenging task both physically and emotionally. Being an entrepreneur is also a ‘JOB’, most of the time more difficult than a typical office job. Our concern about a typical job is the structure that limits one’s scope of contribution. If anything that we don’t like about so called job is living the routine and seeking comfort in doing mundane things.

3. Wants fast success – It is very convenient to highlight one possible outcome of the process. Entrepreneurship is also a process and regardless of pursuit, success is difficult to achieve. That is why everyone fails sometimes. Sure as entrepreneurs we too want to ‘WIN’ but we are prepared to ‘FAIL’ too. But we own our success and failure. Hence we play the game hard and truly. It is better to lose on own terms than winning on someone else terms.  

So if above mentioned are not the primary reasons than what drives an entrepreneur to face all the vulnerability, and the risk of public and private failure?

1. Self-belief – As entrepreneurs we don’t care what others think about us. We respect the opinions of others but none is right or wrong for us. We treat the opinions as just data points. We believe in ourselves, our ideas, abilities and determination to do things better than others.

2. Do things different – We challenge the status quo. We take it as an opportunity to do different things in different ways. What drives us is the chance to innovate, an ability to create something from nothing, a shot at starting a new movement, and above all to have time of our life while doing things that we love to do.  

3. Create choices – We entrepreneurs refuse to choose from the choices/options given and prefer creating our own choices. Instead of accepting the mediocre options and trying to fit in those, we feel it is better to conceive best option and work hard to make it available. We are eager to improve everything and anything.

4. Fighting spirit – One thing that we learn very fast in our entrepreneurial journey is to not give up easily. Even in the most daunting situations we live to fight another day. We work incredibly hard, refusing to let the hardships dictate the outcome because we take chances and accept the consequences. 

We are inspired by others and strive to improve things. We like to work with good people, by building great teams, because success is best when it is shared with others and that is why we enjoy succeeding with others.