So, there I was, a depressed entrepreneur that just got screwed out of the first business I started. I was in another country, no immigration paperwork, they invoiced me one last paycheck, and they deleted every e-mail discussing my shares and other information.
I remember using every bit of money I scrounged up, to beg lawyers to help me out, and sadly, being that there was not a trace of information tieing me to the company other than a couple of e-mails, I had nothing.
It was almost a year ago to this day; I lost everything I sacrificed for and still have nothing to show for it. My imaginary 5% shares were gone, never even filed (as promised). The immigration paperwork to move to Canada, non-existent. I confided in greedy businessmen that disguised themselves as friends.
I had named, conceptualized, and started a company that was one of the best HR tech tools in the world, and all I have to prove it is a couple of blogs that exist interviewing me as the co-founder of the site.
Are These Kind of Startup Heartbreaks Common?
Unfortunately, for every storybook Google, Facebook, Apple-like “garage-to-IPO” plot, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of startup horror stories.
Some can even end in tragedy as there have been plenty of stories of founders of companies committing suicide.
To put it frankly, there are still a lot of greedy, petty, and disgusting businessmen out there. That will use and abuse tech-savvy, hard-working, brilliant minds for personal gain.
If you are currently in that process of sulking, and you feel like you rock-bottom, there’s only one thing to do: Get up, get out, and make shit happen.
If you’re going to go the startup route, focus on getting to know the people you’re working with more and ask what is their “why” in doing things. Do things that you’ll be passionate about and let the money come in because of it.
Here are a couple of tips that will, hopefully, get you back in the game.
Focus On Little Wins
This sounds like something that can only be done if you are working, but it’ll take a load off (mentally) if you’re in a rut.
Enjoy and focus on any small win.
If you’re a hip-hop, tech startup guy, you’ll probably love this tweet:
If it’s something as small as starting up a new blog, getting back in shape, or even just getting out of the house. Any little thing that can get you up and out of the rut is a win.
I remember I was doing free work for months while doing some Uber driving to get some cash, and I was happier than I was as a “CMO of a Startup.” I was meeting people, I was going out for drinks with random people I met, and I was working on my craft.
No. You’re Not Going To Change The World By Improving Your Metrics.
When working at a startup (specifically for marketers and project managers), people tend to believe that nothing else matters, in the world, but these small, incremental changes in the analytics systems for these web-based platforms.
It’s absolute nonsense.
The fact of the matter is, unless you’re working on an advanced medical, science, or technological breakthrough, the small changes you would worry and stress about, aren’t really going to do much.
Eg: Do you think that raising the conversion rate from a blog to your product to eventual conversion is going to make you better, or change the world?
We get so caught up with analytics and nonsense, that we forget to enjoy our work, our lives, and nurture relationships ― without CRMs!
Do things that make you smile and laugh. Bring this kind of mindful and open mentality to your next workplace. It’s the differentiator between a rookie and a vet in the cutthroat startup world; Who can remain the most level-headed about all the “stressful” situations thrown at them.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy every little win without getting too down about a loss.
Write Down The Number And Get It
Any position that I’ve taken, I’ve done it for below my market value and (lesson-learned) make sure that I get my shares paperwork the first week I’m there.
A lesson I learned from Dave Chappelle (random, right?) is that you have to know what number you’d like and don’t settle for less or more!
I cast a nationwide net for my last job hunt; I knew that I wanted to go to NYC, SF, Seattle, Portland, or stay in Miami. I wanted “X” amount of dollars, but I wanted to occasionally work on other multiple projects, so I would sacrifice a bit so I can work on diverse projects and have multiple revenue streams.
I knew what I wanted as a base salary and was able to negotiate hours and office-use to work on other projects.
Basically, know your worth and negotiate so you can get, or do, more.
It’s a lot easier to get a job with a higher salary, more stress, and little leeway to do other things. I like getting less than my market value, but making up what I would’ve made by tackling unique projects on the side.
Whatever the case may be, just get what you know you’re worth and don’t settle for a dollar less. And always, always, always trust your gut.
I wish I would’ve trusted my guy with the individuals that screwed me out of my business. It’s my only one regret.
Don’t Stay Somewhere Longer Than 3 Years
This is very new age, millennial nonsense, that “they” don’t want you to know. Yes, you should leave wherever you’re working every three years. Whatever job, startup, etc., is your main source of income, leave it on month 36.
Be a mercenary.
HOWEVER, If you’re on month 36 of a job that you’re about to be the “Chief” for, I wouldn’t recommend going out and quitting, though.
This should only leave be in the occasion that you’ve accomplished all your goals and the company, as well as you, has really plateaued.
If you conquered an industry and you can’t grow more, or won’t grow as rapidly, why stay at the company? Especially if you have some stock.
Your work is done, your resume looks better, and you can help/manage a new company grow and get stock options for it. Be that mercenary.
I have started serveral employee engagement apps, I know for a fact that retention rates on average are lower than 4 years. Most of the stuff that companies preach are very cute and nice, and sure, the Google’s and Disney’s of the world can do a great job of keeping employees.
The inevitable fact is that if you want to grow professionally just keep going up in organizational charts through jumping ship every three years to bigger and better positions.
A lot of people are fine working 50 years at a place and getting their company watch and retirement party. If you have entrepreneurial blood running through your veins, the thought of that depresses you more than anything.
Those Damn Millennials!
If you disagree with what was written above. I don’t apologize; I just like to do things differently.
Yes, studies find that millennials have the poorest retention rates out of any generation so far. We’re averaging a good 1-2 years at jobs in the corporate world.
All that shows is that the mundane, bureaucratic, have-hour-long-meetings-to-get-nothing-done nonsense of the corporate world doesn’t work with a generation that is fast-paced and innovative enough to create some of the world’s best technologies and systems.
There’s a new study every week that says millennials are cheap, they have no loyalty, and they are one of the most problematic generations, ever. I think it’s awesome. Disruption is preached throughout every startup accelerator and coding camp. The fact that there are studies showing that my generation does it bigger and better adds that extra bit of swagger to our work.
What Do I Do Now?
Well, if you’ve been released, fired, screwed, dragged out of a company that you started, or even if you just lost your job really, just get out there kick ass and have fun.