Agung was the Founder/CEO of Warung Pintar, which digitized the supply for micro retailers.
And now he is a Partner at Antler.
Guest Author: Agung Bezharie Hadinegoro
Let’s talk about anxiety, shall we? The kind that hovers over founders like a persistent cloud and sparks questions that keep you up past midnight every night.
❓ Will clients pay on time?
❓ Can we make payroll next month?
❓ Did we launch our product at the right time?
❓ Did we expand too quickly?
❓ Will we receive bad PR because of a mistake we made?
“Mental health” might be trending, but for founders, it’s a constant battlefield, not a buzzword.
Take it from me. My days were steeped in stress until Warung Pintar was acquired by Sirclo in 2022.
But before then, the stress was relentless and undeterred by wins or milestones. It didn’t go away even when things went well.
Instead, it compounded.
The expectations—from our team, investors & customers—got higher and the milestones became harder, to a point where it felt as though the ship would sink at any point.
For instance, after raising our Series A, we thought that we could just hire more senior employees to solve our problems.
We couldn’t have been more wrong.
🙁 The charm of convincing interviewees faded when we realized some hires couldn’t deliver, leaving us to pick up the slack.
😩 Promoting top performers seemed wise until their managerial shortcomings surfaced, straining team dynamics.
Underestimating the mental toll of entrepreneurship is a rookie mistake. This path isn’t paved with glamour, and you’ll often ponder, “What have I signed up for?”
Now, let me share a moment that has stuck with me until this day—the night after our acquisition was finalized.
I found myself alone in the office, surrounded by the echoes of a journey filled with triumphs and setbacks. It was a moment of profound reflection.
Despite the sleepless nights and the countless moments of uncertainty, I realized the immensity of what we had built.
The impact on our customers, the opportunities for our team, and the personal growth I experienced.
In that silent office, I understood that, given the chance, I would willingly embark on this rollercoaster again.
With all its ups and downs, The journey was irreplaceable.
So, to every aspiring founder out there grappling with anxiety, know this:
Despite the trials, the journey is immensely rewarding. And yes, without a second thought, I’d do it all over again.
Let’s keep hashtag#building ⚒ (talk to us if you are, reach out at https://lnkd.in/gV9Qbn2R)
