a year of working for myself
it feels like just last year, i was all nervous, having freshly graduated with a master's degree and thinking about what i'm going to do next.
there were so many unknown variables. We started up out of sheer will and stupidity. delusional we were going to get into an accelerator, get funding, and sail smoothly.
this was a year of self-reflection, learning and being humbled time and again.
the first half of the year was spent applying to countless accelerators. learned a few difficult lessons along the way. had our very first co-founder argument and 'fight'.
as the weeks and months went by, we soon realized this product wasn't going to work. our humble 3-person team was also down to 2. a co-founder had to step away due to personal commitments.
a business is all-consuming. it consumes your entire being. you need to force yourself to rest.
the rejections from accelerators all came one by one. i got used to it overtime. but somewhere out of the blue, we had people helping us. lending us lifelines and advice without expecting anything in return. i will be forever grateful to them.
we went back to what we did best. participated in hackathons. won some lost a lot. but it was good to meet people, talk to the buiders. the bay area is cracked af.
i worked out of the Founders Inc office for a week. visited the YC office for a Hackathon. all things i would've never done if i hadn't embarked on this crazy ride.
i think it was likely only in the last few weeks, i got comfortable working for myself. i had to unlearn the employee mindset.
personal growth side of things - i don't hesitate to ask for help. i'm surprised when i get a yes. one yes is all that matters to turn your situation around. i've also had to force myself to show off on occasions, shed my imposter syndrome, and be confident in how I approach things.
in a way, i have become more comfortable in my own skin. i don't submit to groupthink as much anymore. i ignore general startup/business wisdom - some are good, but many are just bullshit.
i'm still standing. things are looking up. just have to stay on the grind. keep building. so i guess that's a win this year - we survived. let's see what 2026 has in store!