It’s easy to romanticize the startup world. We often hear stories about people like Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs and think that you either have “it” or you don’t. For a long time, I think I believed that myself that being a founder required a certain type of personality or skillset that I simply didn’t have.
But after reflecting on insights from Harj Taggar, and thinking more honestly about my own experience, I’ve started to see things differently.
Up until recently, I didn’t consider myself someone who had what it takes to start a startup. I’m not the loudest person in the room, and I don’t naturally fit the stereotype of a bold, charismatic founder. But maybe that’s exactly the point those stereotypes don’t really define who succeeds.
What matters more, as I see it now, is something less visible: resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to keep going even when things are unclear or difficult.
When I look back at my career, I realize I’ve actually been preparing for this in ways I didn’t recognize at the time. I’ve often worked in roles where I had to wear many hats switching between different tasks, solving problems as they came up, and figuring things out along the way. That kind of environment can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. It forces you to stay flexible, to learn continuously, and to take ownership.
And that’s something I genuinely enjoy learning as I go.
Another thing I’ve come to rethink is the idea that you need to be a certain type of personality to build something of your own. I used to see being quieter as a disadvantage in this context. But now I’m not so sure. You don’t necessarily have to be the most outspoken person to build something meaningful. Listening carefully, observing where people struggle, and understanding their needs deeply can be just as powerful if not more.
One idea that really resonated with me is the question: what do you actually have to lose? Starting a startup sounds like a big, risky leap, but when you break it down, the worst-case scenario is often more manageable than it feels. You might spend time working on something that doesn’t succeed but in return, you gain experience, perspective, and a clearer sense of direction.
And maybe just as importantly, you learn whether you enjoy the process itself.
Because that’s what this really comes down to. Not having the perfect idea or the perfect plan, but being curious enough to try, and open enough to learn along the way. I think I’m starting to realize that you don’t need to feel fully ready to begin you just need to be willing.
So instead of asking myself whether I fit the mold of a startup founder, I’m starting to ask a different question: do I enjoy building, learning, and figuring things out as I go?
And if the answer is yes, then maybe that’s enough to start.
