The document discusses the harsh realities and challenges faced by entrepreneurs, including high burnout rates and the sacrifices they must make. It emphasizes the importance of passion, making strategic decisions, and building supportive networks to survive in the startup environment. Key insights highlight the need for realistic goal setting and the value of vulnerability and resilience in leadership.

1. Hosted By Raghuveer Kovuru, B.Com, MBA, CWA, ADR
Founder. Entrepreneur. Startup Consultant

2. “The Struggle is where greatness comes from”
- Ben Horowitz, Investor & Author

3. 90%
Startups
Fail
9 out of 10
close shop
Funding is
scarce
Media
reports
garbage
BITTER TRUTHS

4. WHAT’S HAPPENING?
× Acting as if killing it
× Bad impression management
× Over presenting the positive
× Underplaying the negatives
× Unrealistic goals and expectations
× Cognitive Dissonance
× Extreme efforts lead to nothing
× Serious burnout and depression
Gruelling, spirit breaking & downright tough

5. The Never Ending Cycle
Not being
Productive
Business
Suffers
Depressed

7. • Abandon’s a steady pay check
• Loses out on personal time and health
• Doesn’t receive money for weeks, months
or even years
• Moves out of his/her comfort zone
• Loses support of majority of his circles
Entrepreneur Sacrifices

9. Top reasons for Burnout & Depression
× Not being passionate enough about the idea
× Being a ‘Wantpreneur’
× Not making required sacrifices
× Taking wrong cofounders and team
× Trying to do too many things
× Not bringing in experts when needed
× Extremely over confident
× Not willing to learn from others
× Succumbing to negativity

10. “Willingness to be vulnerable is
very powerful for a leader”
- Brad Feld, Venture Capitalist

11. Harsh Realities
An Entrepreneur
Gets paid last
Is an object of mockery
Has no definite working hours
Fails more often than succeeds
Has no specific job description
Goes broke for long before ever growing rich
Attracts more enemies than friends
Literally has no resources at his disposal
“The bigger the goals, the bigger the challenges. The bigger the
rewards, the tougher the journey”

12. How do you survive?
Involve your family
Talk to other founders
Respect your time
Workout regularly
Reject rejection
Get help when needed
Make decisions fast
Set short term goals

13. • Don’t hire like mad
• Keep the cash
• Get a customer
• Overpromise and Over deliver
• Customer follow-ups
• Make clients friends & partners
• Keep Networking
• Never give up
The 1st year!
“A business is like a new born baby. Except for the dirty diapers, its all the same! Lots
of crying. Lots of sleepless nights and lots of change”
- Neil Patel, Entrepreneur & Influencer

14. “Either play it safe or become successful. You can’t do both!”