“Everyone has the dream of building something from scratch. But the reality is a lot messier than anyone prepares you for.”
Entrepreneurship is a powerful, life-changing pursuit, but let’s face it—it’s not for the faint of heart. Before diving into the startup world, Zeeshan and Karina Hayat urge aspiring entrepreneurs to understand the tough, sometimes brutal truths that come with it. If you’re still set on pursuing your dream, embrace these realities—they’re part of the journey.
1. There’s No Instant Success
The stories of overnight triumph are few and far between. Most successful businesses are years in the making. Whatever timeline you have in mind for success, take a moment to adjust that expectation—and then double it.
2. Failure is Part of the Game
Expect to get things wrong—often and early. Most entrepreneurs stumble way more than they succeed. The key isn’t avoiding failure; it’s using those failures to evolve, adapt, and grow stronger each time.
3. It’s All About the Market, Not Just the Product
You may have an incredible product, but if the market isn’t ready for it or doesn’t need it, your chances of success diminish. Zeeshan and Karina Hayat emphasize that market fit and understanding your customers are far more critical than perfecting your product.
4. Starting a Business is Financially Draining
Startups require more than just money to run. Beyond operational expenses, the opportunity cost is the hidden killer. Every hour spent building your dream is an hour not spent advancing a potentially more stable career elsewhere.
5. Forget About ‘Balance’
Work-life balance is a fairytale when you’re starting a company. There’s always something that needs your attention, whether it’s a crisis or a new idea. Your startup will occupy your mind day and night—and sometimes, you’ll feel guilty for stepping away from it.
6. Hiring the Right People is a Journey
In the beginning, finding the right team is a guessing game. You’ll make mistakes, hire the wrong people, and get burned. Over time, you’ll learn the importance of having a solid team, but it takes trial and error to figure out what works best for you.
7. You’re Never in Control
When you become an entrepreneur, you’re actually working for everyone else—the customers, employees, investors, and even suppliers. Your role becomes about meeting expectations and solving problems, not dictating your own path.
8. Raising Money Isn’t a Win
Getting funding isn’t a badge of honour. In fact, it’s often just a new set of problems to manage. Investors will want their cut, and the pressure to deliver can increase exponentially. In an ideal world, you’d be able to build your business without relying on outside investors, but the reality is that most startups need funding to grow—and that means managing the complexities that come with it.
9. You’re Constantly Evolving
No matter how many businesses you build, you’ll never stop learning. Zeeshan and Karina Hayat have learned that every new challenge, failure, and opportunity forces you to grow. There’s no end point where you can just sit back and relax.
10. Loneliness is Inevitable
Being at the helm means you bear the weight of every decision, good or bad. The higher you rise, the more isolated you might feel. Even surrounded by people, you may find it hard to find someone who truly understands the emotional roller coaster you’re on.