Hey there! Today, I'm going to share some insights from my journey as the first sales rep at a Series A tech startup. Now, while startups can offer a thrilling ride, it's not all smooth sailing. So, let's dive into the three cons of startup life that I've personally experienced. Remember, these are unique to my journey, and your experience in the startup world may vary.
1. Lack of Career Development in Startups
Startups are fantastic learning grounds for understanding how to kickstart and scale a business. But here's the catch - don't expect the same career progression or compensation that you'd get at a larger company.
At my startup, career progression wasn't a hot topic. Whenever I brought it up, the response was always about needing to raise funds first. It felt like we were constantly in survival mode, trying to get to the next funding round. What bothered me the most was the lack of feedback and investment in my professional growth. So, if you're considering a startup, make sure to ask your potential boss about their approach to employee development.
2. Startup Career Opportunities
Now, this one's a bit subjective. You might face this issue at any company, but it was particularly noticeable in my startup experience. When I was at a public company, recruiters were always reaching out with new opportunities. But at a startup, especially one without a big brand name, you might have to do a bit more legwork. You'll likely have to sell your skills more than usual and be proactive in your job search.
Remember that a good chunk of early-stage startups don't make it past their first few years. So, do your homework. Before joining: look at the company's financials, the investors, the number of customers, and the problem they're solving.
3. Selling Without Product-Market Fit in a Startup
If you join a startup early enough, you might find yourself selling a dream rather than an actual product. I experienced this at my startup when we decided to target a new market segment. We found that our product only met about 30-40% of the customers' requirements.
This lack of product-market fit led to lost deals and damaged trust with potential clients. It felt like we had rushed into the market too soon.
So, before you join a startup, try to understand how many customers they have, why those customers buy the product, and how they plan to grow.
There you have it - the less glamorous side of startup life. I posted a Youtube video going more in-depth on my experience.
Remember, these are just my experiences. Yours could be completely different. But whatever path you choose, make sure to do your research and ask the right questions. Good luck on your startup journey!