I feel like the risk of starting up includes my life. I literally am risking my life and face death each day. Each month, I don’t know if i’ll make enough money for basic needs such as, rent, food, etc. Does anyone else feel the same?

A long time ago, when I created my first startup, and my second startup, I felt the same. At times I thought I will know soon what being hungry really means. Fortunately, this fear never became a harsh reality. But I gave up startups for a long time (20 years).

Now I'm back as a startup founder. I'm much older, skilled, and experienced. And maybe a little wiser. And now I feel secure about all my basic needs. Even if money is random. What I do know is I'm deeply capable to fulfill my basic needs. And even if I don't know you personally, I'm quite sure you are too. You are a startup founder. By this simple fact, either you are really mad, either you have a strong will and good ability to fight adversity. Your startup may fail, money may disappear, but you will always find the path to food and home. You don't have to worry too much about it.

When you feel anxious, compare yourself to the crowd. Evaluate your chances to survive in really tough situations (alone in the jungle, during a war, or starvation time...). You are most probably in the survivor group. Even if that group is tiny. Conclusion ? Even if your startup fail, you still live in a healthy and protective society. Your body will not suffer. You'd better think about your spirit and your soul. This is the difficult part in startup world.

I get that you are stressed, but you are being a little over dramatic.

Exhilarating, isn't it? Seriously, imagine going to work in your average, everyday, 9 - 5 job. No highs, no lows, just a paycheque. Compare that to the life you lead now. Would you change it?

Been there man,

To be honest, I moved to a new city, fully capable of making my own way. Alas, i shared an apt with some female, in which there were several hidden red flags on her side. Soon to come find out, the apparentness of what i had gotten into, now finding myself an urban nomad, whilst maintaining my startup.

I recently filed for c-corp, 2 weeks away from a 5MM launch. Had to front 46% shares to two "co-founders: (really early-stage employees), who have no fucking idea what I went through and have only worked maybe, 100hrs, compared to my 4000. Yet, i am grateful, nice apt, all to my own, no real concers. Even though, i sold those shares for 10k, when they will be worth 2.5MM in 2weeks. But they know they owe me, and it would be unfortunate for them to have an accident.

As entrepreneurs we are resourceful, we are resilient, we are unstoppable and genius; with the added ability to have very high eq coupled with ability to be aristocratic. This what what we live for. In strife and in flourishment. Because, all of us, we always make it in endeavoring to persevere. We are entrepreneurs.

Use that fear to you advantage, it will keep you sharp egough to make it.

Founders that are not afraid never make it in my experience and i have done loads of startus.

I don't feel like it's physical death at stake. But I do feel as if it's my everything so I play that way.

I've gone without a paycheck for 8 years now.

Not much sympathy at all for those who are "starting up" with a salary and funding.

yes x 1000

Been there!!!

Don't shy away from the fear. It is your gut telling you there is a risk.

Think: What is the one thing you needed that would take that fear away. For example. If you were scared that you didn't have enough money. What if you decided to save up money for the next 2 years and decided that if this thing didn't take off in 1 & half years, you'd go back to a job.

Will that quieten the fear?

You'll find that reduces the fear but something else comes up. Find answers to them all & then go do it.

Remember that fear is simply your gut telling you there is a risk. Look at the risk carefully and find an answer & then keep going.

All the best.

That's start up life, high risk to chase high reward.

Take a weekend to detox from the stress and ask yourself if there is a reward. Is this going to actually make revenues? Is this or can this become a sustainable business? Would someone actually acquire you or lead you to some exit? If its a no, you should figure out your game plan to make it so.

Yes everyday and I hate it :) Everything takes extremely long and makes no sense when it could be simple, buy what I'm selling. But no.. there must be complexities and struggle. I don't know why..