DizzyQuokka
DizzyQuokka

Left a ₹50L+ job. Raised $2M. Built something profitable. Shutting it down now.

Let’s just get straight to it, I wanted to be a founder. Turns out, I just wanted the idea of being a founder. And it’s taken me two years, a lot of sleepless nights, and more stress than I knew was possible to admit this.

2021: When the “fire inside me” hit

Had a ₹50L+ salary as a VP of Ops, job security, weekends off, life sorted. But no, that wasn’t enough. LinkedIn posts, podcast founders, hundred million $ valuations - they all made me feel like I was wasting my life not building the “next big thing.”

I told myself: “I’m smart, I work hard. Why am I building someone else’s dream?”

So, I quit. Left all that stability behind with just a vague idea and the audacity to call myself a founder. Raised $2M in seed funding because, I had a good idea, had the credentials and enough evidence to prove from my career that I had the right to win in this space. Investors believed in me. Hell, I believed in me.

2022: We Built Stuff People Actually Wanted

And here’s the weird part - it worked.

We built a good product, people paid for it, and we even became operationally profitable. No crazy burn rate, no major disasters. By all traditional metrics, things were fine (maybe more than fine).

But the whole time, something felt off. Like, while everyone else on the team was jazzed about solving the problem, I was just going through the motions. I’d wake up every morning and think, is this it?

Late 2023: Had a panic attack.

Turns out foundership (idk if that's a word lol) wasn't about the cool pitches, the media features, or the “I raised $X million” LinkedIn flexes. It’s about the grind. The constant weight of making decisions that affect everything. The never-ending uncertainty.

And I realized, I wasn’t built for this. I wasn’t obsessed with the problem we were solving - I was just obsessed with the idea of being a founder.

The stress piled up. I hadn’t slept properly in months. My relationships went to shit. My mental health? I’ve seen better days. I’d built something successful by most measures, but it was draining the life out of me.

And here I am, calling it quits :)

So yeah, we’re shutting it down. Wrapping up operations, making sure the team is taken care of, returning what’s left of the funding. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s the right one - for the business and for me. There are some really attractive acquisition offers on the table.

I didn’t fail at building something. I failed at being a founder.

And honestly? That’s okay.

Here’s What I’ve Learned:

  1. Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone - and that’s fine: It’s glorified to the point of being toxic. If you don’t love the grind, it’ll break you.
  2. The “Founder Title” is overrated: You can do meaningful, impactful work without running a company. Seriously, there’s no shame in working a 9-to-5 if it makes you happy.
  3. Success ≠ Happiness: I built something profitable, but it didn’t make me happy. In fact, it did the opposite.
  4. Your mental health is worth more than a cap table: If you’re miserable all the time, maybe it’s not the right path.
  5. Stability is underrated: There’s something to be said for working a good job, earning well, and having a life outside of work.

Planning to start up? Before you quit your job, ask yourself:

  • Are you obsessed with the problem you’re solving?
  • Are you okay with constant stress, uncertainty, and sleepless nights?
  • Are you ready to give this years of your life?

If the answer is anything less than a resounding “YES,” maybe think twice. And if you’ve already started and feel like I did - it’s okay to stop. There’s no shame in calling a spade a spade.

For me? I’m going back to a role where I can still build cool stuff, just without the 24/7 chaos of running the show. And you know what? I’m fkn good with that.

Entrepreneurship is overrated. Stability isn’t a dirty word.

Keep building (or don’t, that’s fine too).

Adios!

2mo ago
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SquishyTaco
SquishyTaco

Relevant and very honest. By the way if you are comfortable to answer. Which startup you built or in which domain did you build.

DizzyQuokka
DizzyQuokka

If I was ok sharing that would have rather posted this on LinkedIn - this is a much safer space to be talking about these things :)

FluffyKoala
FluffyKoala

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights. It’s great to learn from someone who is already been through the process. I wish you all the best in life ahead and would love to hear more such posts sharing your learnings from your experience building a startup. I’m hooked for sure

ZippyMochi
ZippyMochi

Why not sell the business or hand it over to someone else willing to run it? It's not easy or common to build a profitable and worthwhile company from scratch. It does seem like you realise how difficult it is, why close it all down then?

DizzyQuokka
DizzyQuokka

As I did say, there are acquisition offers on the table - will evaluate but it’s not as easy as I sell and leave; most acquiring companies would want me to be around for a while. Don’t think I have it in me anymore to do this anymore.

FluffyTaco
FluffyTaco

Thanks for opening up. What type of roles will you consider?

Why is there a dearth of such roles and opportunities in India?work 4-5 hours a day, work hybrid, enjoy with colleagues and then come back to your family

DizzyQuokka
DizzyQuokka

If you want to just work for 4-5 days a week then don’t expect to get paid - even government jobs are more than the 8 hours of 9-5 these days

FluffyTaco
FluffyTaco

Real work in the median private job is 4 hours at max my guess. Government jobs maybe1 hour. Rest of the time is warming your chair

ZestyBiscuit
ZestyBiscuit

I posted something earlier but after thinking deeply about it, I deleted the post.

Here’s my response now. @GrizzledTrillion and all

While I respect the honesty in this post and appreciate the vulnerability of sharing such an experience, I feel it’s important to offer a different perspective. Foundership is undeniably tough—there’s no sugarcoating the sacrifices, stress, and uncertainty it demands. But to those who feel truly called to solve a problem, this post shouldn’t discourage you.

Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. It requires grit, resilience, and a willingness to adapt and grow through challenges. Yes, mental wellness, relationships, and balance are critical—but they can be managed if you build the right support systems, seek help when needed, and stay self-aware. It’s not about avoiding challenges; it’s about navigating through them with determination.

If you’re passionate about solving a problem and are willing to make sacrifices for the bigger picture, don’t let one story of burnout deter you. Every founder’s journey is unique. The key is to focus on what drives you, take calculated risks, and recognize that success—however you define it—comes from perseverance, not perfection.

We need people who are willing to dream big, build great companies, and change the world. Yes, it’s hard, but that’s what makes it meaningful. So if you feel ready, go for it. Learn from the experiences shared here, but don’t let them stop you from chasing your own path.

DizzyQuokka
DizzyQuokka

Brilliant comment, fully agree with you - thanks for articulating this well @CircuitJolt!

Quick two cents (these are bits from diff comments I replied to here):

  1. The point is not around dissing on entrepreneurship, it’s really important. My point is that it’s not for everyone - just sharing here why it wasn’t for me.
  2. There are lots of folks online who are all for “just quit and startup” - I’m happy being the devils advocate. If this makes you think 10 times more, I’d be happy that people have reflected upon why they want to do something.
  3. No one’s saying don’t start up - ask yourself the 3-4 questions I’ve mentioned (amongst a lot more of the other important questions). If you still want to do it, go ahead and godspeed!
  4. It’s important to be ok with failure so that more people are less afraid of trying - if people stop trying due to the fear of failing net net we all lose. So yes, celebrate wins & normalise loses - it’s all a part of the game. It’s important we keep playing.
ZoomyTaco
ZoomyTaco

Hey great insights. Thank you for what you have done and I hope there are more opportunities coming your way soon. Wish the best.

Meanwhile, I’m curious to know what do you think on, if you would have not raised the capital and took something else as a bootstrap venture, while making money with a leaner team, would that still be an issue. I’m seeking an insight if just taking money from investors gave you anxiety or just you wanted more relaxed time for yourself.?

DizzyQuokka
DizzyQuokka

Don’t think I’d have started if I hadn’t raised - it was a big validation marker.

Raising venture money was great since it helped fund early product building, getting a great team which executed and made a brilliant product.

Investors have been nothing but great - what is def imp is to raise money from the right folks. They do ref checks on you, you should also def do :)

ZoomyTaco
ZoomyTaco

Cool, thanks.!

MagicalBurrito
MagicalBurrito

Very relevant and honest post to me. I have gone through same and came back to regular job. The only thing is, it took more time for me to understand. I was unable to give enough time to family and could not see my son growing so fast. Kudos to you!!

DizzyQuokka
DizzyQuokka

♥️🙏🏼

MagicalNarwhal
MagicalNarwhal

whoever comments something good gets a positive reply while op proceeds to call others out thinking they are entirely wrong...very fun post to interact with

DizzyQuokka
DizzyQuokka

Haha not really man.

There are comments which lose the point - the point is not around dissing on entrepreneurship, it’s really important. My point is that it’s not for everyone - just sharing here why it wasn’t for me.

I’m not here for advise or to convince folks why my decision was right - it’s immaterial to others. Just don’t see a point in engaging in that conversation here :)

PerkyTaco
PerkyTaco

what startup you built? Name?

DizzyQuokka
DizzyQuokka

That’s a @Boooooring question

PerkyTaco
PerkyTaco

Your story isn't feels like real " Kahi se Copy krke chipka raha hai "
aisa lag raha hai That's why I'm asking.... And still you are not answering

ZestyPenguin
ZestyPenguin

Takes a lot to do what you've done, wishing you the best for the journey ahead - godspeed!

DizzyQuokka
DizzyQuokka

🙏🏼

GigglyBoba
GigglyBoba

@GrizzledTrillion bhai itna sa baat sikhne ke liye itna kuch karne ki kya jarurat hai.

Failure ko glorify kyu kar rhe ho sab ke life me kuch chalta rehta hai log post nahi kar dete hain idhar.

Being founder is easier than becoming a good employee.

DizzyQuokka
DizzyQuokka

“Being founder is easier than becoming a good employee”

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

DizzyQuokka
DizzyQuokka

Also, it’s important to be ok with failure so that more people are less afraid of trying - agar fail hone ke possibility se people stop trying net net we all lose.

So yes, celebrate wins & normalise loses - it’s all a part of the game. It’s important we keep playing.

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