Why I Never Wanted to Become a Founder—and What I Learned When I Did
Posted: 2024-12-11
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I never planned to become a founder. My dream was simple: work hard, rise to a top position within an organization, and continue growing in a stable, structured environment.

I always thought starting a business wasn’t for me. It felt too hard, full of challenges, and far from the safe, stable job I wanted. I admired people who ran their own businesses, but I believed I was better off in a steady job where I could learn and grow without too much pressure. But life had different plans for me.

However, life can be unpredictable sometimes, it takes you into situations you never imagined for yourself. That’s what happened to me too, now I’m the leader of my own company as the CEO.

Looking back, I can clearly understand how much I’ve learned and updated myself. Here, I’m sharing my story so that you can pick up the points in my journey, and how to take smart risks that are as important as believing in your dreams and staying consistent through the challenges.

Taking the Leap: From Stability to Startup

When I first thought of starting a business, I wasn’t really sure about it. I realized it would be a significant decision requiring immense dedication and hardwork. It’s not about dreaming while you sleep, it’s about turning those dreams into reality. It takes a lot like building a powerful team, and keeping the business strong, even when things get tough.

Working in a good job at someone else’s company felt safer at the time. It gave me a steady paycheck and let me learn from my mistakes without big problems. But over time, I started wanting more—I wanted to build something of my own, try new ideas, and take charge of something that was truly mine.

Redefining Leadership as a Founder

Today, I’m the CEO of my company, leading with determination, curiosity, and a strong desire to learn. After continuing in this role for a few years more, I want to use what I’ve learned all these years to help other young entrepreneurs.

I see my current job as an opportunity to try new things, not just as completing the daily tasks. Consider every challenge as a chance to grow, and every new situation as a lesson to learn, that will eventually change the way we are doing things.

Life-Changing Lessons and Insights

One of the best lessons I have learned as a founder is that taking smart risks is important. It is very easy to go with the pace life is demanding for you, though if you really want to make a difference you have to try new things.

Taking risks doesn’t mean you have to hastily take all the decisions without thinking anything, it means making good choices, thinking wisely about the outcomes, and trusting your intuitions when it feels like the right time.

I’ve learned that every experience at work teaches you something. Whether you’re having a big success or dealing with a problem, there’s always something to learn. These experiences help you grow stronger and get ready for the next challenge.

Challenges and Overcoming Them

Like any founder, I’ve had my fair share of challenges. Building a team, managing money, and balancing work with life are just a few of the tough parts. Each challenge has helped me become more patient, flexible, and better at solving problems.

One of the biggest challenges was getting over my doubts. Since I never planned to be a founder, taking on this role was scary at first. But I learned to focus on the big goals, get support from others, and remember why I started this journey.

Another challenge was dealing with the ups and downs of running a business. Sometimes things didn’t go as planned, but I learned to see those times as chances to come up with new ideas and grow.

As I keep moving forward, I know my role as CEO is temporary, but I want to leave a lasting impact by taking risks, making brave decisions, and helping others grow. In the meantime, I’ll keep trying new things, learning, and seeing what I can achieve.

Everyone’s journey is different, and we all face our challenges. What has your journey been like? What problems have you faced, and how did you solve them?

I’d love to hear your stories and what you’ve learned. Let’s keep learning and growing together!

/From stability to CEO: My journey, lessons, and insights on risks, challenges, and leadership growth.
ByBinu Bhasuran