When it is time to kill your darlings

It was September 16^th 2017 when I wrote my name on a paper and officially became entrepreneur, I had my own StartUp with my co-founder Richard. My previous position being charge on operational action of another StartUp, had created good connections and I felt that is time now or never to jump into entrepreneurship. And most importantly, we had an idea and to start work on with a good team around it.

As expected, things don’t ever go exactly as planned. Without going too much on details, in a year we did three major pivots from the idea we started. We were on the highest peak of the rollercoaster during the Summer 2018 with our Summer Camp -project. We got featured on local TV news, newspaper and radio, but it was not enough. At the beginning it is about balancing between time, money and resources.

First, I thought something went wrong. Then I realized that nothing has really gone wrong, only one thing has always led to another. Obviously, I would do some things now differently, but whether I would be still in same situation than now – maybe yes or maybe not, but I don’t think its relevant to think about that.

I did realize that the problem what we wanted to solve about making a change happen on international employment in Finland, was not the kind of problem I needed a StartUp to engage with. It was more like a bigger mission, where large numbers of stakeholders are involved with. Despite it was not the easiest decision, still the same core in the storyline does continue. Instead having a StartUp, we founded a non-profit organization: an association called FINternational ry with some other like-minded people. 

With the association I keep up pushing the theme as volunteer basis until further notice because I still want to contribute on things I consider important. I feel like I’m on a mission, and the association felt more natural way to continue it. After all, it is not about road you take as long as it heads toward the destination that matters.

Recent year there has been more open discussions about failures, which is good, but it is still a bit of a taboo. What I would like to see more is to honest open discussion about entrepreneurship especially in StartUp world. Now it is built pretty much based on a success stories or failures, but the actual life and reality on everyday life remains somehow hidden and is built too much around “StartUp hype”, where even failures are made to look like they are cool.

Now if I look at myself in a mirror asking a question: Would I do this again? Answer is tricky, and my response would be yes and no. Yes, because I think it is important to be brave, try and chase own dreams. No, because it has been a draining year for me. I have still learnt a lot which is the most important thing and at the end of the day I don't regret anything. 

One thing I learned, is how important it is to remember that people are the strongest resource you can have. Especially at the beginning when there is no possibility to pay salary, it is important to be able to inspire and motivate people. Be demanding enough if a person promises to deliver something that it also will happen, even if it is “free.” 

Also understand that you can’t force people to devote their time for you without allowing them to do other things as well. Finding the balance is not easy, but a good rule of thumb is that interest has to rise internally within a person to make them help your business. 

To summarize three tips for those who are going through the same situation or who have an idea and plan to become an entrepreneur. I will write a separate blog from each of the tips during upcoming weeks. Hopefully those words can provide someone help on questions they are struggling with.

1.           Use connections and don’t be afraid to ask advice: If you are young, most likely you are not an expert on your field, try to have some senior level advisor to back up your credibility. Don't try to solve everything yourself, ask people around you, often they are willing to help.
2.           Aim for self-sustainability: Have a clear product and a customer without being dependable on third party to achieving sales
3.           Plan your start smartly: Start slow and build your base first. You don’t need to immediately found a company or jump full-time working in it. Trust me, it is much easier to build a business when you are at least somehow financially backed up until your own business generates some revenue.  

Now in December 2018 one door closes, other ones will open and it is time to engage new challenges. After all, it is only the official company ID that dies, ideas will carry on.
WorkBoost RIP.

I want to tell warmest greetings and my gratitude to all who were a part of this journey, together we created something important which will live as FINternational.