For as long as I can remember, I’ve had the itch to start my own company. My dad was an entrepreneur, and during university, I flirted with the idea a few times. But I never wanted to do it alone, and the opportunity to start something with friends never quite materialized. So, I did the practical thing: I joined the company where I wrote my master’s thesis and settled into the corporate path.

Fast forward more than a decade, and despite the years of experience and career growth, here I am—stuck again. It’s a feeling I’ve known before, one that has weighed heavily on me at various points in my career. The first time was when my thesis partner (who had also joined the company) left, leaving me in a small town where I barely knew anyone. The next time was when a close colleague quit, signaling the beginning of my first major career change. And then again, when I landed what seemed like my dream job—until the company grew so large that bureaucracy and office politics took over. I felt like I was constantly being boxed in, losing the ability to do meaningful work. I even started feeling almost depressed, stuck in an environment that seemed to drain the life out of me.

The thing is, I thought I had found my escape when I discovered the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early). I committed to saving and investing aggressively, working toward the goal of financial freedom. And while I haven’t reached full independence yet, I’ve made enough progress to gain a sense of security and flexibility. For a while, that was liberating—it gave me the confidence to step back, reassess my career, and feel like I had options. But even then, something was missing. I didn’t just want freedom from work—I wanted the freedom to work on something meaningful. And that realization eventually led me here.

Learning to Adapt: The Journey That Changed Me

Growing up, I didn’t exactly have the easiest time. My parents argued a lot, and I never really had close friends. From preschool all the way through high school, I was bullied and ostracized. It stuck with me. By the time I reached university, I was carrying years of social baggage. But university gave me a fresh start, a chance to shed my past and reinvent myself. The problem was, I was late to the game. Most people had already developed the social skills and confidence they needed in their teens—I was still awkward, still learning how to truly connect with others.

That’s why my decision to take a gap year was so crucial. I spent six months traveling alone through Southeast Asia, and it became the catalyst I needed to grow into the person I am today. Traveling solo forced me to adapt, to put myself out there, to navigate completely new cultures and social situations. I made friends, I learned how to strike up conversations with strangers, and I slowly started building the confidence I had always lacked.

That trip also taught me how to go with the flow. I had a detailed itinerary planned out before I left, but within the first week, unexpected floods forced me to change course entirely. Instead of following my original route, I ended up in the lower Himalayas—an experience that turned out to be one of the most awe-inspiring parts of my journey. That detour, much like many others along the way, reinforced an invaluable lesson: sometimes, the best opportunities come when you let go of rigid plans and embrace uncertainty.

Of course, not every lesson was profound—some were just ridiculous. Like the time I got drunk with a couple of guys from a famous mobile handset manufacturer somewhere in Malaysia and somehow lost my shoes. I had to walk barefoot through the city until I found a street market where I could buy a new pair of flip-flops. Not exactly a moment of deep personal growth, but definitely one that taught me to laugh at myself. 😆

The Shift in Priorities: Fatherhood Changes Everything

A couple of years ago, my first child was born, and everything shifted. My priorities, once centered on career progression, took a hard turn toward my family. The long hours, the corporate politics, the endless meetings—they all seemed so much less important compared to being present for my child. I wanted to be there for the first steps, the first words, the bedtime stories—not stuck in a conference room discussing quarterly targets.

Then, just this month, as I started my parental leave for my second child, the idea for my business materialized in my head. I wasn't trying to think of a way to start a successful business—it came to me in the middle of a regular evening, entertaining the kids and cooking dinner. In that chaotic yet deeply fulfilling moment, inspiration struck. 💡

Technically, the seed of it was planted a year or two ago, but at the time, it was just a potential solution to an everyday problem—nothing groundbreaking. I noted it in my head and moved on. But last week, everything suddenly snapped into place—like a giant jigsaw puzzle. How to monetize it, how to market it, how to form partnerships—the whole picture became clear. It felt like every moment in my life had led up to this. Without my past struggles, my experience working across different companies, and my perspective as a parent, I might not have recognized the potential. And let’s be honest, without the current explosion of AI technology, this idea might not have even been possible a couple of years ago.

The Rollercoaster of Starting Something New

The initial rush of excitement was intoxicating. My brain went into overdrive, firing off ideas faster than I could write them down. I told my spouse immediately—she patiently listened and encouraged me. I stayed up late, scribbling notes, researching the market, and playing through different scenarios in my head. It felt like I had tapped into something bigger than myself, something that could change not just my own life but others’ as well.

But excitement has a short half-life. Soon, doubt crept in. Plenty of people have tried similar ideas—why would I succeed? What if I get outcompeted? Can I even find enough customers? How will I build this on my own? And the big one: If I cut down my work hours, what will that mean for our household finances?

These fears are real, but one thought outweighed them all: If I don’t try now, I probably never will. And that’s a regret I can’t live with. Instead of making a reckless leap, I’m taking a measured approach—carving out time where I can, leveraging AI tools to maximize efficiency, and doing extensive research before fully committing.

With two young daughters and an apartment filled with chaos, my windows of productivity are small. But I’ve learned to make them count. Case in point: Last week, I barely found time to shave, yet somehow managed to draft a business-related email while taking a shower—all thanks to AI. 🤖 It’s about making the most of the moments you have, however imperfect they may be.

Some days, I’ll be incredibly productive; other days, exhaustion from parenting will take over. And that’s okay. Burnout won’t build this business—intentional effort will. I’ve learned that creativity thrives when you’re not running on empty, so I’m prioritizing balance over brute force.

Looking back, I don’t think I was ready before. But that doesn’t mean others can’t start a company earlier in life—sometimes, you just need the right team to complement your skill set. For me, this moment feels right. I have the experience, the motivation, and the perspective to make this work.

More Than Just a Business

While this blog will document my entrepreneurial path, it’s also something more personal. I’ve never really had an outlet for the jumble of ideas that constantly occupy my mind—thoughts on world events, tech trends, the joys and chaos of parenting, and navigating life in general. This blog finally gives me that space.

Beyond being a creative outlet, I see immense value in documenting this journey—not just for myself, but for others who might be on a similar path. If you’re juggling big dreams with everyday responsibilities, questioning whether there’s more beyond the corporate world, or even thinking of starting something of your own, maybe you’ll find something here that resonates.

Building a business is one thing, but building a community—sharing experiences, struggles, and small wins—that’s just as important to me. I don’t want this to be a highlight reel. I want to share the real process, missteps and all, because I know I’m not the only one figuring it out as I go.

A Future of Freedom

At the end of the day, my goal isn’t just financial success. Of course, I want this venture to thrive, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t occasionally indulge in a few daydreams about what that might look like. But what truly drives me is the pursuit of meaningful work—the ability to build something I care about on my own terms.

If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s more out there, my advice is this: Be daring, but deliberate. Take the plunge, but take smart risks—especially if you have a family depending on you. And above all, stay positive. Doing something new is always scary, but so was traveling alone across the globe during my gap year. That experience ended up being one of the most transformative of my life—until I became a parent, that is.

I have no illusions that this will be easy, but I know one thing for sure: I’m ready.

If any of this resonates with you, stick around. I’ll be sharing more about my progress, the tools and strategies I’m using, and the inevitable challenges along the way. And if you’re on a similar path—or just thinking about one—I’d love to hear from you.

Let’s figure this out together.