2022 Reflections: 22 Learnings as an Entrepreneur
2022 has been the BUSIEST year in my 15 years as an Entrepreneur.
Foundership started shaping the right way and 2022 was a momentous year, and as a reflection, here are 22 learnings to share with Fellow Founders and Startup communities.
Experiment
Good word of mouth
Network
Trust
Play best shots
Being The Connector
A gentleman’s agreement works
Trust gut instincts
Live for another day
Benefits your customers
Build a self-thriving team
Focus on what customers need and not what competitors think
Co-opetition
Don’t assume a no
Choose your backers and nurture your believers
Frugality
Be on the stage
Sorry if you messed up
Best Customer experience
Inbound is Godsend
Focus your energy where it matters
True to your roots
- One experiment can change fortune.
In 2021, when Bimlesh and I were experimenting with various cohorts at Foundership, one experiment to host a Web3 Cohort during Jan 2022 unfolded everything we are heading towards!
2. One good word of mouth can change your destiny.
As we hosted Web3 Cohort, one word from Saurabh Shankar to Arjun Kalsy at Polygon opened many opportunities to serve Builders and Founders. We knew Saurabh previously and I was seeking his input to design a Web3 Cohort. That one outreach and his WOM had so much of an impact.
3. Your network adds to your net worth! Especially the underground one. :)
I have had an underground network of Web3 Founders since 2015. While running Explara, we powered ‘Blockchain India Summit — New Delhi in December 2016, where Vitalik was Conference’s Chief Guest & Keynote Speaker. However, I don’t know for sure if he had joined then, but this was my first opening to figure out this space.
Again 2017, a few Blockchain conferences too.
Having seen some early founders in the space and being with them, I had a network among Web3 Folks to bring them in when Foundership kickstarted Web3 Cohorts and then Incubation + Acceleration camps.
4. Trust matters a lot in Startup (Business). It compounds.
Bimlesh & I were founders for a long and actively collaborated among communities to help fellow and new Founders.
We experienced the compounding effect of these trusts when we outreached to seek support among Founders & Leaders in Web3 Startups during 2022.
5. Play your best shots. Refrain from treating yourself as a newcomer in business (or any field).
Let your customers/community/audience feel mesmerized.
When we launched 0xBreakfast and Web3 community hosts took it to 12+ Cities, and it was a surreal experience.
Founders & Builders loved it and we got an appreciation for the initiative like an OG!
To be honest, we were new to Web3 Communities.
6. You Being The Connector is 100x more impactful vs. You being the Centre of Attraction.
Read detail post here https://www.santoshpanda.com/2022-Reflections-22-Learnings-as-an-Entrepreneur-e59f9548af6c4fd782c0c2fc69616a28
