What it is really like as a startup founder (blog#1)

September 23, 2023

    I am not the sort of person to really write. Heck, in fact, I was never a good writer (I have no clue how I aced in English, I swear). But, I love to think and use my brain. I love to allow my mind to run free. For the first time, I won’t be following the rules for writing that “perfect” article, that “perfect” document. I am tired of conforming to always trying to establish that “perfect” image. The truth is, I am NOT perfect. I make A LOT of mistakes. And, I have come to accept that about myself. So here I am. Arifa Kokab. So imperfectly perfect! I love it. It is true and it is me. And if anyone has a problem with it, can cease to read this article further.

    So why am I here, you ask? Well, I had an epiphany to share my experience with the world. Ok so, basically, I am here to share with you all the real deal of the experience of trying to succeed as a startup founder of a company. Wait, a startup founder is obviously of a company right, I am so repetitive sometimes and say things twice. But, anyways. So yeah, my startup is different (don’t they all say that?). But no seriously! This IS much different.

    I am not here to promote my startup to you, so all of you money-rich investors who were about to take financial notes can put your pens down. If you want to invest in my company, you can reach out to me directly at ******@theneurobus*** ahhhhhh, got you! But no seriously, check out my website, and you should invest in me if you are smart enough.

    Ok, focus! So how does it feel to be the solo founder of a startup? Scary to say the least. I doubt my every move. I think to myself, “Hmmm, am I doing this correctly? Is this professional? Does this follow the societal industry ‘rules’? Will people think I am acting like a wacko for doing this or doing that?” Let’s not even talk about calculating the valuation of my startup, it makes my soul tremble. But you know what, that is all normal. Trust the process, they all say. I am! But is it ok to say that I get so exhausted and doubt myself from time to time? Totally normal! (I hope!)

    Let me paint this picture for you. It feels like I am shooting arrows in the dark aiming for a bullseye. Oh, and although I am in the dark, I have an extra layer of a blindfold on. Scary? Yep, exactly how I feel. So folks, join me in this crazy journey, as I venture through the stages for raising my pre-seed round for this startup. I aim to look back at this blog to relive these very “beautiful” moments once I am a millionaire on vacation sipping on my very virgin cocktail on the beaches of Hawaii (yes, I don’t drink alcohol, so weird).

    Oh, and I forgot to mention the biggest piece of information. I am on the Autism spectrum and very much ADHD with a splash of OCD. So safe to say, I am a little different and this is going to be one rollercoaster of a journey. But I am ready for this folks. Let’s go!


Cheers!


Arifa ❤ (old first blog I ever wrote🥹)

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