Shital ‘AL’

Yesterday I met a founder at an event, and he started talking about how many of his relationships had become harder to manage since starting the company. If you’re thinking of starting a company, you should probably tell everyone close to you that for a while you may become slightly unbearable. You’ll check your phone during breakfast and dinner. You’ll say “five minutes” and disappear for few hours. People will ask, “How’s the company going?” and in your head it may sound like, “Is it failing?” even when nobody meant it that way. Tell them not to stop asking. Tell your spouse that being distracted doesn’t mean you’ve stopped caring. Tell your parents that you may call less but the doesn’t mean ignorance. Tell your friends to keep inviting you even after you’ve said no six times in a row. Tell them that if you start becoming someone they don’t recognize, they’re allowed to say it. Most founders slowly grow a thick skin because suddenly everyone has an opinion, judgment or advice on what they’re building. Some people will think you’re brave. Some will think you’re stupid. Some will secretly wait for you to fail and some will suddenly become very interested when it starts working. Try not to become cynical about all of them because the company will already consume enough of you. Don’t make it consume every relationship too. You will feel lonely, exhausted and misunderstood at times. And once in a while, when your closest friend asks you to come for dinner, just go.