When you start a business, you set off on two different journeys. One, the journey your business is on. And two, the journey you as a person are on. The lessons learned and the outcomes are very different for both these journeys. I have broken these two into Part I and II.
Part 1: The Entrepreneurial Roller Coaster
Six years ago, I started out on my own, not sure of what my business would look like. I didn’t know where the journey would take me, and didn’t know how or where I would end up. This journey has been a transformative experience, teaching me invaluable lessons about entrepreneurship, personal growth, and the pursuit of the American dream.
The path was far from smooth. I encountered moments of self-doubt. I questioned my abilities and wondered if I would ever succeed. The physical and mental stress took its toll, pushing me to the brink of breakdown. Panic attacks and sleepless nights became familiar companions, and at times, it felt as though the world was against me.
Yet, amidst the darkness, there were flashes of euphoria. Every obstacle that was overcome and every battle won gave me valuable insights into my own abilities. In those moments, I felt invincible, believing that I could solve any problem, change the world, and create real value through the business.
As I went from panic to euphoria in cycles, I started to realize that these extreme emotions were merely imposters, not genuine reflections of my journey or impact. The true lesson was: in business, there is no finish line. Success and failure are simply lessons learned, and the journey continues.
The only true end is death, and until then, it’s not just what we do that matters, but how we do it. Prioritizing physical and mental health, upholding our core values, creating meaningful experiences, forging connections, and investing in the growth of others – these are the elements that will define our legacy.
Part 2: The Promise of the American Dream
My earliest memory of America traces back to an x-ray imaging room in a small town in Southern India. The words “USAID – From the American People” etched in my mind a vision of a promised land, where people from one nation gave generously to others around the world. That moment ignited my dream of making it to that land of opportunity.
When I finally arrived in the US in 2004, I fell in love with the idea of being a business owner. I believed that with hard work, determination, ingenuity, and a bit of luck, one could achieve anything in America.
However, when I started my own small business in 2018, 14 years after moving to the US, I discovered that the American promise was not equally accessible to everyone. One’s station in life mattered here, just as it did elsewhere in the world. The barriers faced by minorities were real, and while we celebrate the few who make it, most struggle and never achieve their dreams.
This realization became my mission – to democratize the American dream for every individual who wants it and is willing to put in the effort. I vowed to fight for equitable and inclusive access for those who want to start and grow their own businesses.
Along the way, I found fellow warriors, who called themselves economic developers. They shared my passion for helping business owners create wealth for their families by providing critical resources and support, from mental health to childcare. Over the past 6 years, we have partnered with hundreds of economic development organizations and other groups that support small businesses. Together, we have created meaningful impact in the communities they serve through the use of our technology solutions.
Our clients are true champions of small businesses, leading with actions rather than words. Their trust and patience during our early days when we were still building our products have been instrumental in our growth.
As we cross the 6-year mark, I am filled with gratitude for the invaluable contributions of our Catalyzers and the unwavering support of our clients. Together, we have served over 50,000 small businesses across more than 35 states, with a team of nearly 30 full-time employees worldwide.
Looking towards the future, we remain committed to building solutions that address the unique challenges faced by aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them achieve their dreams. We will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of small business owners nationwide.
This dual journey of personal growth and pursuing the American dream has taught me that success is not just about reaching a destination, but about the person we become along the way. We will embrace the challenges ahead and work towards building a company that fulfills our mission and helps each individual achieve their own American dream.
If you have helped us along the way, I want to thank you for being a part of our journey and for your continued support. Together, we will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of small business owners globally.