My Startup Journey – Lessons Learned Edition

Hey everyone, welcome back! It’s Sabesh here with a special edition of my newsletter, reflecting on all the lessons I’ve learned from my startup journey. Whether you're just starting or looking for some motivation, I hope these insights help. Let’s dive in!

Episode 1: The Start of My 3D Printing Venture

When my friend and I launched our 3D printing business, we did so because we saw a clear gap at our college. We were motivated by a real need rather than just jumping into a trend.

Key Lessons:

1. Identify and Solve Problems:

   • Lesson: Start by addressing genuine needs.

   • Example: Our college lacked 3D printing resources, so we provided that service, which immediately made our business relevant.

2. Leverage Existing Customers:

   • Lesson: Use your current network to gain traction.

   • Example: We began with fellow students and expanded by offering personalized keychains, which quickly gained popularity.

3. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work:

   • Lesson: Combine complementary skills.

   • Example: My friend’s technical expertise and my marketing skills created a balanced team that drove our success.

4. Always Innovate:

   • Lesson: Continue evolving beyond initial success.

   • Example: After addressing the college's 3D printing needs, we diversified into custom products, boosting our revenue.

Episode 2: The E-commerce Struggle

Investing in an e-commerce site seemed like a great idea, but I learned the hard way about delays and perfectionism. My business came to a halt while I waited for everything to be perfect.

Key Lessons:

1. Stay Active & Keep Selling:

   • Lesson: Don’t pause sales while waiting for new features.

   • Example: I wasted 8 months waiting for the perfect website instead of continuing to sell and engage with customers.

2. Use Time Wisely:

   • Lesson: Time is precious; don’t squander it.

   • Example: Waiting on website perfection cost me months that could’ve been used for improving my business strategy.

3. Avoid Perfection Paralysis:

   • Lesson: Start now and iterate.

   • Example: The website’s delays and endless tweaks led to lost revenue. Launching earlier and making improvements along the way would have been better.

4. Be Careful with Money:

   • Lesson: Don’t invest all your capital in one area.

   • Example: Spending 50k on an unfinished website left me with no funds for marketing or unexpected expenses.

Episode 3: The Power of Mentorship

I almost gave up after facing setbacks, but joining the Tamilpreneur fellowship opened new doors. The guidance I received transformed my approach to business.

Key Lessons:

1. Find the Right Mentor:

   • Lesson: A good mentor can change everything.

   • Example: The fellowship provided valuable insights and a structured path, much like what Y Combinator offers to startups.

2. Be Open to Learning:

   • Lesson: Embrace continuous learning.

   • Example: Learning about structured business planning and scaling from the fellowship helped revitalize Rapitpro.

3. Build a Solid Network:

   • Lesson: Your network is crucial.

   • Example: The connections I made during the fellowship provided essential support and opportunities for growth.

Episode 4: Rebuilding with Rapitpro 2.0

With Rapitpro 2.0, I focused on data, automation, and efficiency to avoid past mistakes. This approach helped me scale effectively.

Key Lessons:

1. Track Metrics Religiously:

   • Lesson: Regularly monitor your business metrics.

   • Example: Using Khatabook helped me keep track of sales and performance, revealing areas for improvement.

2. Automate Processes for Growth:

   • Lesson: Automation is vital for scaling.

   • Example: Tools like WooCommerce and Shiprocket streamlined my operations, freeing me up to focus on growth.

3. Expand Beyond Your Comfort Zone:

   • Lesson: Seek out new audiences.

   • Example: Running Meta ads helped me reach new customers beyond my existing network.

Episode 5: Tween and Tykes – A Lesson in Focus

The launch of "Tween and Tykes" taught me the pitfalls of chasing money instead of focusing on solving real problems. The platform was shut down in three months.

Key Lessons:

1. Solve Real Problems, Not Trends:

   • Lesson: Address genuine needs, not just trends.

   • Example: "Tween and Tykes" failed because it didn’t solve a real problem. Reviuo succeeded by addressing a need for micro SaaS reviews.

2. Passion Drives Success:

   • Lesson: Passion is key to overcoming challenges.

   • Example: My lack of passion for the kids' market led to difficulties and the eventual closure of the platform.

3. Chasing Money Leads to Failure:

   • Lesson: Focus on serving customers, not just making money.

   • Example: I focused too much on revenue and not enough on understanding my audience’s needs.

Episode 6: Chasing the Wrong Goals with "Tween and Tykes"

After Rapitpro, I launched "Tween and Tykes" but had to shut it down due to a focus on quick profits rather than solving real problems. Then I turned my attention to Reviuo.

Key Lessons:

1. Solve Real Problems:

   • Example: Tween and Tykes didn’t address a genuine need. In contrast, Reviuo succeeded by filling a gap in micro SaaS reviews.

2. Diversify Income:

   • Example: Reviuo’s varied revenue streams—affiliate commissions, sponsored posts, freelancing—ensured a stable income.

3. Learn and Adapt:

   • Example: Reviuo’s success was due to continuous refinement based on feedback and real-world data.

Episode 7: From Side Hustles to Service Businesses, and Everything In Between

Reviuo was successful, but I kept it as a side project while co-founding "Revolve" and later rebranding to "Ad-titude." Managing clients and adapting to new industries were key learning points.

Key Lessons:

1. Mentorship Helps:

   • Example: Guidance from Raghuram Rajamani was instrumental in managing client expectations and business growth.

2. Adapt to New Sectors:

   • Example: Working with clients in diverse fields like fintech and education taught me industry-specific strategies.

3. Implement Systems:

   • Example: Structured processes improved project management and client satisfaction at Ad-titude.

4. Manage Clients Well:

   • Example: Clear communication and managing expectations were crucial for successful projects.

5. Collaborate:

   • Example: Partnering with Sudharsan brought new perspectives and capabilities, enriching our approach.

Episode 8: From Ad-titude to Project X

Adtitude is thriving, but I faced challenges with managing social media content for clients. This led me to start "Project X," addressing these issues head-on.

Key Lessons:

1. Create Opportunities:

   • Example: Identifying and tackling real problems, like content management, sparked the idea for Project X.

Thanks for joining me on this journey! I hope these lessons inspire and guide you in your ventures. Stay tuned for more updates!