A New startup feels like moving
Imagine you’ve just moved to a new city. Everything feels different, exciting, and perhaps a bit intimidating.
This is a lot like diving into new entrepreneurial ventures after years of running a startup.
Two and a half years post-startup life, I’ve realized that while I once thought I’d carry 90% of my old way of working into my new business, it turns out only about 50% has made the transition.
The past 13 years at Funk-e were about being the face of the company, selling the dream, and devising new products.
I was locked into a fixed image of myself and my abilities.
However,stepping out of the daily grind has allowed me to see new possibilities and redefine what I thought was set in stone.
3 examples
Here are three ways this 50% shift manifested itself:
- Changing the Work Paradigm: At Funk-e, we followed a top-down strategy with a three-year plan presented after extensive management discussions. But as the market evolved, we saw our plans struggling to keep up. We introduced OKRs (objectives and key results) to adapt more dynamically. Yet, our established routines and team structure were more suited to fixed plans, making the transition challenging. (More on that here: https://misterawesome.nl/the-best-os-for-a-startup-life-after-startup/)
- A Granular Understanding of Finance: Previously, my interactions with finance were limited to pitching ideas to my CFO, who would then return with a straightforward “yes” or “no” based on his Excel wizardry. Despite my history of struggling with finance exams, I’ve grown to appreciate a deeper understanding of my business’s financial aspect. Now, I model decisions myself, allowing for a more agile approach to testing ideas. (More on that here: https://misterawesome.nl/life-after-startup-how-finance-became-my-minimum-viable-skill/)
- Separating Personal Identity from Company Brand: Being synonymous with your company can benefit marketing, but it also restricts your personal expression. I realized my LinkedIn had become a mere extension of Funk-e. Now, I distinguish between ‘Mister Awesome,’ a passionate entrepreneur, and ‘Superconnectors,’ our platform for sharing breakthrough moments. This distinction has freed me from the confines of my previous role. (More on that here: https://misterawesome.nl/life-after-startup-4-benefits-of-a-personal-brand/)
Freedom
This newfound freedom from old routines and team dynamics has been liberating. It’s not just about changing the old ways but reimagining what can be. It’s about breaking free from past limitations and reevaluating my capabilities.
The journey from 90% to 50% has been enlightening, confirming what I’m good at and opening up new paths I had never considered.
If you could change 50% of how you operate, what would that look like?
This transition isn’t just a change of scenery—it’s a profound transformation that offers the freedom to reshape everything from ground zero.
