Startup, what is it? Here I tell you from the trenches

Have you ever heard the term startup and been left scratching your head wondering what the hell it means? Relax, Pablo García is here to enlighten you. I'm not going to give you the typical boring textbook explanation. I'm going to tell you from my experience, from what I have lived, sweated and suffered in this world.

So, if you are interested in knowing what a startup is and how it differs from a traditional business, keep reading. I promise not to disappoint.

What the heck is a startup?

Let's start with the basics: A startup is not just a new company. No, sir! It's a project with a colossal ambition, a growth potential bigger than a Silicon Valley CEO's ego, and almost always, with a business model that seeks to be replicable and scalable. That is, the idea is to be able to replicate their success in different markets without duplicating resources.

Let me put it simple for you: Think of companies like Airbnb, Uber or Zoom. All of them started as startups.What did they have in common? They were trying something completely new, something the market hadn't seen before. They were an experiment, and if the experiment worked, the payoff would be huge.

How does a startup work?

Here's where it gets interesting. A startup differs from a conventional company in several ways. For starters, a startup is looking to grow fast. If there's no growth, it's not a startup, plain and simple.

A couple of key points:

The business model: It's all about finding a business model that is repeatable and scalable. This means that, once you find a way to make money, you should be able to replicate that success with more customers and in more locations without needing to change the fundamental structure of the company.

Innovation: In many cases, startups are creating something new, whether it's a product or service, or a new way of doing something existing. This innovativeness is what attracts investors.

Risk: High risk, high reward. That's the philosophy here. Startups are big bets. Not all survive, but the ones that do, can change the world.

The First Steps: From Garage to Glory

I've been there. In the trenches, trying to make something work with limited resources. And let me tell you, the first steps are, without a doubt, the hardest. This is where creativity and ingenuity are put to the test.

Financing

Ah, the vile money. In the beginning, you're probably funding everything out of your pocket or with help from friends and family. This is what we call bootstrapping in the jargon. And when things start moving, you may need to look for external funding. This is where angel investors and venture capital firms come in.

But wait, because this isn't just asking for money. Investors are not dumb. They're going to scrutinize your project from top to bottom before dropping a single penny. So be well prepared.

Scalability

Remember, what you're looking to do is scale. That is, to grow without multiplying your costs at the same pace. That's what turns a simple business idea into a startup. And believe me, that's not easy. You're going to need a solid business model and a clear strategy to get to that point.

My Personal Experience: Lessons Learned

I'll tell you straight: things never work out the way you expect them to. But that's what it's all about, learning along the way.

Fail fast and cheap: This is not just a nice phrase. It's the key. Try, fail, learn and try again. The faster you figure out what doesn't work, the better.

Ride yourself with a solid team: Forget the idea of the lone genius. Startups that really succeed usually have a team of founders with complementary skills. Look for partners who complement you and who are as crazy as you are about making the idea work.

Don't be afraid of change: The path of a startup is uncertain. Be prepared to pivot. If something is not working, change it. Don't hold on to an idea just because it was the one you originally had.

The Pitfalls and the Glories: The Dark Side of Startups

Now, not everything is rosy. I want you to know about the pitfalls as well. Why? Because being in a startup is like being on a roller coaster: there are exciting highs, but also lows that will make you wonder if it was worth it to get on the ride.

The burnout

The hours are endless.I'm warning you right now. The exhaustion is real. Many times you will be working against the clock, and the pressure can be immense. It's critical that you know how to manage your time and energy.

The Growth Dilemma

When a startup begins to grow, it's easy to think that everything is wonderful. But growth brings new challenges. How do you maintain the company culture? How do you manage a rapidly growing team? How do you keep the quality of the product or service from suffering?

Conclusion: Is it worth it?

I leave you with this final thought. The startup world is not for everyone. It's intense, challenging and, at times, hopeless. But if you are one of those who don't give up easily, if you have an idea you believe in and are willing to work hard to make it happen, then yes, it's worth it.

Startups not only create innovative products, they also build the future. If you decide to embark on this adventure, I promise you will learn more than you ever imagined. Are you up for the challenge?

Are you up for the challenge?