Oh the Start-Up… How Loved and Hated You Are


Starting a company from the ground up can feel like a rollercoaster. One minute, you're filled with excitement, and the next, you're nervous, scared, and then back to excited again. This emotional whirlwind is something every entrepreneur faces. Trust me, I've been through it multiple times. When I started my first business—a little hotdog food truck at 24—I had no clue what I was doing. But here I am, four successful businesses later, and now I’m the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of what I believe will become the most-used grocery app tool ever.

Let’s dive into the emotions of a start-up and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.



The Thrill of Excitement


Excitement is usually the first emotion that hits. You’ve got a brilliant idea, and you can already picture it transforming into a successful company. The excitement of achieving financial independence as a business owner is electric. It’s thrilling to see a vision come to life—one that originated entirely from your imagination. It’s also exciting when others love your product or service and appreciate something that you created.
For me, excitement also comes from brainstorming. I drive my family and friends crazy talking about new business ideas, but that’s part of my process. Find what works for you. Brainstorming is critical to refining your idea, determining whether it’s feasible, and formulating an execution plan. The excitement is real, but it quickly evolves into something else—nervousness. 


The Fear and Nervousness of Risk


This is where the rubber meets the road. Nervousness and fear can kick in hard. The moment you invest your time, money, or assets into your idea, it becomes real. Fear is the defining emotion that separates the dreamers from the doers.

So, which one are you?

Being an entrepreneur involves risk, but there’s a difference between smart risks and reckless risks. Some people throw everything into their start-up before ensuring that it can generate consistent revenue. If they hit a bump, they risk losing their entire company. That’s why I limit risks until I have something to fall back on—a revenue-generating, stable business.
To manage fear, I’m strategic. I evaluate purchases by asking: Does this directly help my business make money? Is this an immediate need or something that can wait? It’s a delicate balance of not being too scared to invest but also not throwing money around blindly. The key is to limit the variables that could cause problems down the line.


The Sweet Return to Excitement


When your business starts generating revenue, employees are happy, customers love your product, and you’re planning to expand—that’s when excitement returns. This is the stage every entrepreneur dreams about. But before you reach this point, there’s a strategic process to follow because, as a start-up, you don’t have much wiggle room for mistakes. You have to be calculated in every move.


Lessons Learned: Success Requires Intuition, Hard Work, and Luck


Over the years, I’ve learned that understanding human behavior is one of the most valuable skills in business. You need to know what people want or at least be able to sense it. Some say you either have this instinct or you don’t.

Another key lesson: success is 50% luck and 50% hard work and determination. When luck strikes, don’t get complacent—work even harder. Show people why you believe in your product. Don’t just tell them. People will see your conviction, and that’s when your company can flourish.

Also, be professional, even when you don’t feel like it. Trust me, it makes a huge difference.


The Start-Up Journey: Where Dreams Become Reality


The start-up journey is thrilling, terrifying, and rewarding all at once. With determination, hard work, and a bit of luck, combined with a great product or service, you can grow your start-up into something bigger than you ever dreamed. Stick with it, be smart about your risks, and believe in your vision.

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