- Amy Zhang has faced five essential challenges since she left her corporate job to start a business.
- Zhang says navigating the current economy and finding the right customers were among the obstacles.
- Zhang says entrepreneurship involves making mistakes, but she has redefined her idea of success.
This essay as stated is based on a conversation with Amy Zhanga 31-year-old founder based in New York City. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I spent eight months “quietly quitting” my corporate job, which started in June 2022. Then I started a company focused on growing small businesses. I have developed an appreciation for all the ways people can become successful.
But my learning has not come without problems. These are the five biggest struggles I’ve experienced since leaving and starting my own business, and what you should keep in mind if you’re considering it.
2. You must be prepared for stress, mistakes and ambiguity
When I started my venture, I realized that I was the only one to blame for poor decision making. The pressure to make no mistakes bothered me at first, so I’ve learned to forgive myself.
One of the biggest mistakes I made was figuring out which technology tools and systems to spend money on and when to make the purchase. I bought based on referrals and quickly learned that buying technology solutions too quickly and only based on recommendations can be a waste of money.
I also made the mistake of subscribing to annual contracts for discounts. In hindsight, I realize that the flexibility to cancel month-to-month contracts would have been more financially responsible.
Despite these mistakes, I know that being patient with yourself is important to not burning out and giving up.