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I want to be an entrepreneur. What are the things that are trending outside India?

entrepreneur

noun

“a person who sets up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.”

This is the definition when you look up for entrepreneur on internet. “Taking on financial risks” is extremely important here. 

A lot of people I interact with, talk to me about their idea of being an entrepreneur. A lot of them are still thinking and planning (yes, some of my friends and acquaintances have been talking about it for last 6-8 years).

Today again a very dear friend of mine started talking to me about how he wants to start “something”, what is this “something”? No, he has no clue about it, but he wanted to know what is trending. He started his talk by asking me “can someone start a startup without money?” And then, there was an interesting conversation which followed. I have copied the whole conversation which I had on Facebook. He has a lot of questions and doubts on being an entrepreneur. My purpose to post the conversation here is to clear out his confusion with crowd sourcing. Please help him clear his mind, that entrepreneurship is a noble idea.

Here’s the conversation I had, with my friend. I am posting it here just because I think it is an interesting read. 🙂 And, for the purpose of simplifying the talk, I have removed and formatted certain messages. 

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WanapreneurCan someone start a startup without money?

Meyes…you don’t need money to start. You need focus and commitment

Wanapreneur: I know it’s more about idea, I am fed up with job but have no money

Me: You don’t need money to start. 

Wanapreneur: Also, to avert risk, I want to try something along with my current job and then gradually move

Me: But, remember to graduate soon. Have a timeline in your mind… or else it’ll never happen

Wanapreneur: ok

Me: The comfort of a job and the salary at the end of the month is enough to seduce you, never to start

Wanapreneur: I know, can you suggest some good sites for startup gyans

Wanapreneur: I know its originality that matters…but still such site helps

Me: I will help you as much as I can

Wanapreneur: I know and I can always bug you. But you have other engagements too

Me: There’s no website which can help you however… if you want… join us at www.therodinhoods.wpengine.com

Wanapreneur: I am there but did not find it that good

Me: That’s the only place I am on. Hmmm…start with your idea…start with writing a concept note

Wanapreneur: ok, I am too confused. Everything I think of, after giving second thought looks too difficult and confusing to me

Me: No… The Job and salary looks easy, and that’s the truth

Wanapreneur: yes…. if I think the other way, you are right. It seems difficult coz salary on 31st looks easy

Me: so this is what you have to overcome

Wanapreneur: what are the things that are trending outside India?

I may sound like class XII chap asking which book to study to get into IIT

Me: Your idea should not be based on what’s trending. It should be based on the problems. So think of problems you face and would really want to fix it

Wanapreneur: you are right, but does that approach works in India? It’s more of what market needs then what I like. I loved to study literature, but computer science was trending. I studied it. I at least have a job

Me: Nahi toh hospital ya school khol lo… khub chalega… trending bhi hai 🙂

Wanapreneur: ha ha ha ha. Trust me, that’s in my list, but after few years. But from my journey from present till there, for next 5-7 years, I want to start something which not only gets me rid of this job, but also gives me money to start it

Me: Gangs of Wassepur dekha hai?

Wanapreneur: nahi

Me: Dekh lo. Usme ek bada sundar sa dialog hai.. “Beta tum rahne do… Tumse na ho payega”

Wanapreneur: ha ha ha ha

Me: Not joking… you need to have the attitude to become an entrepreneur in the first place… an attitude to solve a problem… an attitude to become a hustler. You’d need to be thick skinned. Jab kisi ko kuchh bechne jaoge aur wo tumhe time dekar khud nahi aayega toh tumhe achha nahi lagega

Wanapreneur: yes, I will get depressed. I feel bad, even if people disconnect my phone

Me: Do your job…invest well.. Save money. And, when you have enough start a school and then take it from there. Till then stick to your job

Wanapreneur: well……. your analysis is right.

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Well, that was the end of our conversation. He promised to get back to me after his confusion is over and he is more convinced about shelving his well paying and comfortable job. 

My purpose of posting this conversation here is to get him out of the confusion. Since all (or most) of us are entrepreneurs here I am sure many of us will relate to things being talked here. Please help him with your comments!

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9 Comments

  1. Nicely done Neeraj 🙂

    Starting up just because your job or boss sucks is possibly the worst reason to do so. You should guide him to this book first before he thinks of starting up.

  2. Thanks Abhik,
    The friend is here on theRodinhoods. I am sure he is reading this. 🙂 

  3. oh but neeraj, apparently he didn’t find trhs helpful!! so why would he read this??!!

  4. Very Theatrical and DOCTORed version! 😉

    So Nice to read too that you still tried to put across and HELP YOUr friend one more time, with more inputs now coming from this post (in case he does See it too) It’s pretty Simple Think – Be – Do

    If we have IITs & IIMs, then why not IIEs?

    Read #6.      The end goal *IMP*

    NOT PUTTING Too many Words but a Picture 🙂

    ===================================
    The Man who Wins is an Entrepreneur man,
    Not built on any peculiar Plan,
    Not blessed with any peculiar Luck;
    Just steady and earnest and full of Pluck.

    When asked a question, he does not “Guess”.
    He knows, and answers, “No or “Yes.”
    When set a task that the rest can’t Do,
    He buckles down till he’s put it Through.

    For the man who wins Is the man who Works,
    Who neither Labor nor Trouble Shirks,
    Who uses his Hands, his Head, his Eyes;
    The man who wins is the man who TRIES.
    ===================================

    Wishing all a Merry X’Mas and a Happy New Year Ahead!!! 🙂 Cheers!

    #JustBeingMyself
    #WikiRH 

  5. Asha, he apparently read this post… Kinda waiting to get more of replies and discussion here. I am sure at the end, he will get convinced one way or the other.  

  6. Darshan, If we had to personify TheRodinhoods website, it would be you. A walking human search engine for all things here. #Respect

  7. Thanks for the Lovely words you put there Puneet, though I always try to put it just like it is, is visible to everyone or as should be (from my perspective though) if it is not detailed or adds any value, what is the point of simply adding a Comment ?

    Then everyone can form their own Opinion, Judgement and Decision thereafter, and it hopefully gets the required scope of Development.

    Any which ways it Benefits me if they Gain something out of it  without realising that they have CONTRIBUTED with this action to a lot others too who also might be feeling the same but could not Jot down any CHARACTERs and I could be a part of it as a whole.

    Take it or Leave it, is always Everyones – Individual Prejudice. DB~

    Think – Do – Be ~ Rinse and Repeat!

    Just your Friendly Neighborhood Troubleshooting Alien !

    Learner Forever!!! #WikiRH #JustBeingMyself

  8. If you are spiritual, Believe that everything is destined. So the salary cheque you get every month is the amount definitely written in your destiny.

    But you aren’t satisfied cos the entrepreneur bug is itching inside….

    Want to satisfy the itch.. start asap. Don’t worry about the amount you get every month, cos it is written in destiny. It’s upto you whether you want to earn it working for you.. or working for someone else. 

    God bless Start ups that world is better place. 🙂 

  9. Sounds like the guy is bored on Sunday and wants to go out for a drive…

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