I set up my first company in 2013, business was not that bad, but I did not continue the business because I had a lot of other options, like most educated people. I think having a lot of options is the biggest curse for people like me. I had two options in front of me, either I would grow the business and take more risks, or else I would be going to quit the business and earn money in an easier way. I was raised with the thought that it was bad to take risks, so obviously, I chose the second opportunity. But I learned a lot from my first job, at least I thought I was.
Then, after a couple of relaxed years, although everything was fine and I did actually earn a good amount of money, I decided to make a new venture. I started with an investment of 500.000 TL, which was quite good then. I learned from my first venture that I should not work with small capital. That’s why I thought that I was applying my first lesson, “You should reach the money fast!” Because it’s hard to build a good team without money.
Lesson 1: You should reach the money fast!
My first venture was production-intensive, and I knew that production was not my strong side. So I thought that my next work should be technology focused. So I went with a web-based project by applying the second lesson, “Do what you do best!” Also, as a sportsman of many years, I realized that I made the right choice when I started a web-based project on sports. Because the thing I did and the product I was going to reveal made me happy.
Lesson 2: Do what you do best!
Starting a business is not easy, and one of the biggest challenges can be building a team. In my experience, I learned the hard way that relying on people and trusting them can be unstable. I had a goal of creating an MVP with a well-known software company, but after paying them upfront, they dropped my project, and I couldn’t even get a junior intern to work on it. This experience taught me the importance of having a system in place to minimize the human factor as much as possible.
If you have a technology project, it’s essential to find or be a CTO partner. Without someone who is a pro in your main business, it can be difficult to succeed. Not only will a partner take some of the burdens off of you, but they will also bring valuable expertise to the table.
In the end, the most important lesson I learned from my entrepreneurial journey is to find a partner who is a pro in your main business. This will help you focus on what you do best and relieve some of the stress and anxiety that comes with starting a business. Don’t make the same mistake I did and try to go it alone. Trust me, it’s not worth it.
Lesson 3: Find a partner who is pro in your main business!
Starting a business is no easy feat. It requires a lot of hard work, perseverance, and the ability to adapt to unexpected challenges. One thing that can be particularly difficult is building a team and finding the right people to work with. In my own experience, I learned the hard way that trusting people is not always stable and that it’s important to have systems in place to minimize the human factor as much as possible.
Another lesson I learned is the importance of patience and persistence. It’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t go as planned or when progress is slow, but it’s important to remember that every failure is a step towards success. Establishing a sustainable business takes time and effort, and it’s not just about making a quick sale. It’s about building something that will benefit both you and your community in the long term.

Every Failure is a Step Towards Success
That’s why it’s so important to enjoy the process, not just the end result. Any entrepreneur who can do this will be better equipped to handle the ups and downs of starting a business and will ultimately be more successful. So, if you’re thinking about starting a business, don’t give up and don’t be afraid to seek out help and advice from others. Remember, it’s not easy, but it’s worth it in the end.
Lesson 4: Enjoy the process, not the result!
Contact me if you would like to use this experience more closely related to your work.