When Ankur Nagpal instructed a room stuffed with startup founders that he by no means learn a ton of enterprise or self-help books, I knew no matter he’ll say subsequent will probably be a studying for me. A recent tackle entrepreneurship from somebody who has been there and executed that.
Don’t learn any enterprise books. Learn books which can be enjoyable, light-hearted or inspiring — like fiction, novels, poetry, or drama.
— Ankur Nagpal
I’m paraphrasing a bit right here, however Ankur’s remark made me notice how totally different his strategy to entrepreneurship is. It is not one thing he ‘realized’ from books, however by following his intestine and curiosities.
Over the following hour, Ankur shared his journey as an immigrant entrepreneur and candidly instructed the viewers all that he realized as an entrepreneur. These are the teachings that resonated with me probably the most:
1) Don’t second guess your self
Self-doubt is such a recurring feeling amongst founders.
As founders, particularly first-time founders, we’re hungry to be taught. We’re keen to know from others’ experiences what to do and never do. Ankur got here from the identical start line as a first-time founder, and immigrant at that, who began a enterprise with out connections to the VC ecosystem.
He usually second-guessed himself earlier than taking a path together with his startup, Teachable. He at all times assumed veteran founders know higher. Whether or not it’s about pivoting, GTM methods, or fundraising, Ankur realized that even in the present day, as a second-time founder, he solely is aware of a lot.
Takeaway: You may by no means have full and correct details about which subsequent step could be finest for your enterprise. As a founder, the very best you are able to do is to steer together with your intestine and play to your strengths. Don’t second-guess your self.
2) Rent individuals you wish to be round
This is applicable to anybody you might be eager about including to your staff, whether or not that could be a cofounder, founding member, or intern. It’s essential that you just rent somebody who not solely brings the suitable abilities but additionally good…