To be honest: Our Start up Journey just began, and we might not be the experts of survival techniques. But let me tell you about our experiences, some insights on what helped us to not get lost so far in the startup world.
For us starting a company was more than a business adventure. For us it was an act of courage, a leap into the unknown. We had even no experience in writing an invoice, however, we were curious from the very beginning and surprised and amazed what happened and now we are just open for what will come next and where we will end up.
The North Star
Our startup begins with a spark—a strong vision serving as a north star. Our vision raised in a short conversation. Carolina was just leaving her job. I was ready to retire, and we had the same idea-support with our knowledge and skills persons who need it. We painted this vision in bold strokes and that’s how it began.
Optimism, Courage, and Confidence
However, a startup journey demands more than ideas. We are optimistic. Optimism showed us possibilities where others see obstacles. I (=Anne) am 67. Should I go for a start-up instead of getting retired? Open question. You need courage to move forward. We trust in our idea in our team. We are learning from each other; we are helping each other, and it makes us confident. We feel empowered to share ideas and take responsibility. We’ve found that confidence in each other’s abilities, plus an atmosphere of open communication, helps us tackle challenges together.
Adaptability
We understood very quickly that a startup is not “following a roadmap”. We had to adapt to the needs of the world around and let our vision grow and let it be shaped by reality. Flexibility is one of the startup’s greatest strengths. Changes are other steps toward something new and create new possibilities.
Last but not least: a Strong Support Network
No one survives alone. We’re lucky to have had the support of friends, mentors, and the Transfer Technology Institute (TTI) as we got off the ground. Building a network can open doors, provide insights, and connect you with potential customers, partners, and investors. It’s often this network that helps you weather the ups and downs.
We’re still learning, hopefully still growing—and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.
-By Anne Weiß
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