The Hidden Realities of Startup Life: A Personal Journey

In the glittering world of tech media and shows like “Die Höhle der Löwen” on German TV, founding a startup is often portrayed as the epitome of success and glamour. We’re bombarded with stories of startups achieving multi-million euro exits, transforming founders into wealthy, prominent figures overnight. However, what often remains untold is the arduous journey behind these achievements - a path paved with failures, hard work, and personal sacrifices. In this article, I’ll share my own experience as an entrepreneur and co-founder of a mobility startup, and explain why I ultimately decided to change course in my professional life.

The Allure of Startup Culture

Fresh out of university with a master’s degree in hand, I found myself drawn into the vibrant startup ecosystem of Munich. A chance encounter with a visionary entrepreneur ignited my passion for human-centered AI solutions and the prospect of working alongside top talents. Despite my inexperience in this mysterious startup world, I was eager to dive in headfirst.

What I discovered was a work environment unlike any I had experienced during my studies. In stark contrast to larger corporations, startups operated with minimal resources and no established products, relying instead on the collective drive of talented individuals united by a common goal. The energy was palpable, fueled not by hefty salaries but by the promise of rapid personal growth and the potential for financial rewards through company shares in the event of a successful exit.

The Reality Behind the Glamour

However, this exciting world came with its own set of challenges. The “work hard, play hard” ethos, reminiscent of top consulting firms like Boston Consulting Group or McKinsey, permeated the startup culture. It’s no coincidence that most people in these environments are recent graduates or under 30 - the demands of 50-60 hour work weeks, coupled with the need for continuous self-improvement, require a level of energy and dedication that can be difficult to sustain long-term.

I embraced this lifestyle wholeheartedly, accumulating valuable experience and knowledge along the way. In 2019, I took what seemed like the natural next step: co-founding my own startup. It was the realization of a long-held ambition, born from the insights I’d gained while working in a niche market and recognizing untapped potential.

The Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship

Our venture began promisingly. We secured paying customers from the outset and received substantial support from Munich’s startup ecosystem. Within months, we had moved into our own office, closed our first investment round, and begun hiring to scale the business. We were poised for rapid expansion, our ambitions reflected in our newly prepared office space.

Then, in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, bringing our momentum to a grinding halt. We scrambled to cut costs wherever possible, starting with our already modest founder salaries. Simultaneously, personal life events added to my mounting stress. The countless hours of overwork and the “sky’s the limit” mentality that had once seemed so invigorating now began to take their toll, pushing me into a downward spiral.

The Breaking Point

By May 2020, while the company was slowly recovering from the initial shock of the pandemic, my well-being had reached an all-time low. I naively believed that simply slowing down and taking a few days off would alleviate my symptoms. Instead, my condition worsened dramatically, rendering me unable to work.

It was only then, after consulting with doctors, that I realized the true nature of my predicament. The symptoms I was experiencing weren’t a sudden occurrence but the culmination of years of relentless pressure and stress I had imposed upon myself throughout my startup career. As a young professional, I had believed myself capable of enduring such intense pressure indefinitely. However, my body was now forcefully telling me otherwise, compelling me to stop and reassess my choices.

A Paradigm Shift

This crisis prompted a period of deep introspection. I began questioning the very foundations of my pursuits: Was I truly happy? Were my current path and goals authentic to my desires, or was I merely fulfilling others’ expectations? The stark reality was that while I might have appeared successful to outside observers, I felt profoundly unfulfilled and unsuccessful by my own standards.

Faced with this realization, I made the difficult decision to radically reorient my life towards pursuits that genuinely brought me joy and fulfillment. This transformation involved a complete overhaul of my work-life balance, prioritizing leisure time, eliminating excessive work hours, and focusing on activities that nourished my soul - such as self-directed learning and helping others.

I also embraced mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga, topics I plan to explore in future articles. After months of dedicating myself to these life-affirming pursuits, I’ve witnessed a steady improvement in my health, which I now value above all else.

Lessons Learned

The journey to discovering what truly matters in life, finding a sustainable work-life balance, and redefining personal success has been a years-long process for me. My hope is that by sharing my story, I can help others navigate their own paths with greater awareness and intentionality.

In the end, the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that true success isn’t measured by external achievements or others’ perceptions, but by our own sense of fulfillment, well-being, and alignment with our deepest values. It’s about creating a life that resonates with our authentic selves, one that prioritizes health, happiness, and meaningful connections over the relentless pursuit of professional accolades.

As I continue on this new path, I’m grateful for the insights gained from my startup experience, even as I choose to apply them in a different context. To anyone navigating the challenging waters of entrepreneurship or any demanding career path, I encourage you to regularly check in with yourself, to listen to your body and mind, and to have the courage to change course if needed.