If Your Start-Up Fails, Shake It Off and Keep Moving
If it “failed” after < 12 months or so, it doesn’t matter too much. No one will care. And there’s no need to explain yourself, apologize, or feel like a failure. No need.
Dust yourself off, and decide if you want to do another one.
And if you do — the key is, just consider that one-year start-up an experience. That’s it. The key is:
- Be matter-of-fact about the experience. I know it wasn’t just “a job”. But sort of act almost as if it was. You tried. You gave it your all. You learned. And. It’s done. You’re ready for the next challenge.
- Don’t act like it was a Big Deal. It wasn’t (in good and bad ways). I don’t want to hear 20 minutes about your failed start-up. I want to hear 120 seconds.
- Don’t act like you learned that much. You learned a lot, don’t get me wrong. You took a risk. You worked for nothing. You tried. I respect that. But if you never got to at least $100k in ARR, you didn’t build a business. You started a start-up, but you didn’t build a >business<. Don’t act like you did.
- Be humble, but not bitter. Be humble about the experience. We’re all human. But don’t be bitter. We don’t like to see that.
In Silicon Valley, a quick failed start-up, especially one that didn’t raise any real money, isn’t a negative.
But making a huge deal out of it is a maturity flag.
And dwelling on it will worry people about working with you.
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Student at soche technical college
8 年It doesn't too much...after 12 months but keep on trying one day you succeed and I'll get what you want it is important to know where you are going
Leadership, Team Building, Customer Experience & Project Management
8 年This is life, sometimes you have to fail to succeed.
Sales Advisory| Sales Coaching | Catalyst Coaching for Executives | Contract Sales Management | Sales Training
8 年Ok as long as you don't owe anyone anything.
Enterprise Account Executive | SaaS | Revenue Growth | Open to New Opportunities
8 年This was very good to read after having just gone through my first startup failure. Still on the fence about whether or when to try again. Anyway, thank you, this was a very helpful message.
Emotional Intelligence Coach
8 年If the service or products that your business offer are not needed or wanted by persons with the ability to pay, perhaps you need to select a different niche.