Battle with Failure, Identity, and Redemption at 30
I hail from a small town in Bihar, a place that never truly prepared me for the kind of communication expected in elite circles. Despite this, I managed to secure a spot at IIT, worked at top companies in the US and India, and found myself navigating spaces dominated by elite crowds. I tried to fit in, and to some extent, I succeeded.
However, my journey took an unexpected turn when I started multiple companies. One of them eventually reached series A funding, but it ran into issues with the investors. They launched a smear campaign against me, claiming that we mismanaged the funds. In response, we filed a lawsuit, and the investors agreed to settle, but the article in the media remained. This unfortunate incident resulted in me drowning in debt.
Spent two years in depression, grappling with crippling self-doubt. I tried to get back on my feet, eventually landing a job with an early-stage startup. However, I was underpaid and worked tirelessly to prove myself. Now, at this point in my career, I have resigned from this job, where I took 50% salary cut from my starting salary and saw no value. I am burdened by debt, struggling to grow, and stammering when I speak. My confidence has wavered, and I can see it in my interviews. I feel like a fraud because I don’t know anything and am pretending to.
Turning 30 this year, I am at a crossroads and need guidance and suggestions on how to navigate this challenging phase.
Talking product sense with Ridhi
9 min AI interview5 questions
Why did you take personal debt when the company was funded by Equity investors?
Also, name and shame…
Also, if you think it’s rock bottom, isn’t it tike to be happy- because life can only go up from here.
How many people come from Tier 2, get into IIT, start a bunch of companies, raise money and then win lawsuits against investors for smear campaigns… As a founder, you have to be bundle of narcissism to even think about starting up. Why is your core shaking?
Hey bro, wanna talk?
You are too kind! Thank you!
You have achieved more than what 99% of engineers have achieved. Consider this as the passing phase of life, Tough time don't last tough men do.. all the best
Hey....I am from Bihar, tier-1 IIT and of your age group. Similar interest in entrepreneurship and in high pressure situations, I also stammer. Similar issues of self worth as the first startup I tried had failed. If you want to connect, let me know
भाई टेंशन मत लो हम तो टायर 3 से हैं हम भी स्टार्ट उप किए थे एक iit cofounder के साथ बट वर्क नहीं हुआ
टायर 3 से होने के बाबजूद हमने दुनिया के टॉप नोच लोगों का इंटरव्यू लिया और यही समझा डिग्री से कुछ नहीं होता एक्सपीरियंस मैटर्स अलॉट ब्रो
मै अभी दूसरी इनिंग्स के तलाश में हु और इस बार उम्मीद कर रहा हु हो जाएगा
वैसे मै भी रांची का हु अगर मिल कर कुछ करने का मन है तो बताना भाई कुछ मिल कर करेंगे इस बार
और हां टेंशन मत लो ये सब पार्ट एंड पार्सल है एक टाइम के बाद लुक बैक करोगे तो कुछ सीखोगे ही
समय दो टाइम कैन कैन हिल ऑलमोस्ट एवरीथिंग
Bro i am amazed by what all you achieved in such a short duration. I think from now whatever you achieve will be a big win. BE POSITIVE BRO , everything will be fine .Bro BTW how much debt do you have .