Why Startups Are an "Irrational Act"
There’s something deeply misunderstood about what it means to be a startup founder. The journey is often romanticized—portrayed as this thrilling adventure full of freedom, innovation, and bold ideas. Even when startups fail, the narrative often paints failure as heroic, almost poetic, like the founder walked through fire and came out wiser. But behind the curtain, the reality is far less glamorous. Most of the time, being a founder means living in rejection. People tell you no —again and again. No , they won’t quit their stable job to work with you. No , they don’t believe in your product. No , they won’t invest in your idea. And if that’s not enough, the “no” is often followed by a dismissive, “You’re stupid for even trying.” That wears on you. And yet, you can’t show the cracks. The moment you let on that you’re struggling, people begin to doubt you. Investors back away, team members lose faith, partners rethink their involvement. So you put on a brave face, force a sm...