sound obvious but it’s easy to fall prey to one or the other. For example, I started a property management company with a friend, and even though we had funding and it was successful, in the end, it wasn’t a good fit for me, and I decided to leave the venture.
On the flip side, I started an app to nurture and support China’s LGBTQ community, a cause that I not only saw a need for but resonates with me personally. We eventually ran out of funding, but after shutting down the app, I was able to reflect on what we did best, which was building online communities. I started Gab China then firmly knowing what unique skill I had to offer and how I could create a sustainable business that wasn’t overly dependent on outside funding.
Do you have advice for someone who is not looking to start their own business but wants to raise awareness or find a community that shares their similar values and beliefs?
I would start by connecting with your network, expanding it, and learning from others. For me, going abroad greatly expanded the different types of people I met and the ideas I came across, and this for me was the starting point to believing in myself and becoming my own boss. Get to know yourself, and what is most important to you, and build community around your values and interests. That could be anything from your local StartUp Grind Community, to an LGBTQ organization. Keep an eye out for events on EventBrite, or Meetup, to find like-minded people that have similar interests to you.