Introverts are Better Bootstrappers
Hey there, my name is Tiago and I am the host of the Wannabe Entrepreneur Podcast. I am extrovert which means that I get energised by social interaction and to be honest I always thought that this was a crucial characteristic of an entrepreneur but after chatting and interviewing multiple entrepreneurs I am slowly changing my opinion.
Introverts are actually the ultimate bootstrappers and here is why
About 8 months ago I quit my job to focus on becoming my own boss. It's been a complex journey with a lot of ups and downs... Among my biggest struggles are: finding profitability, burnout and more recently feeling alone...
I am bootstrapping my projects as a solo founder and this means that my weeks are spent working alone from home, taking the single responsibility of all my decisions.
This last challenge is rapidly growing and even have contemplated finding a job because of it... I miss being part of a team and being in an office environment with the coffee chats, the lunch conversations and the company parties... I even started to miss the meetings!!!
Is it only me?
In my podcast I often interview other entrepreneurs and while some feel the same way as I do others say that being a solo founder does not bother them that much and because they are introverts, they don't miss as much the conversations with their peers.
Looking from that perspective it feels that introverts are in an advantageous position in comparison with extroverts because being solo founders does not affect them as much...
What about marketing and sales?
At first one might think that being an entrepreneur is a very social endeavor. Going from pitch meeting to pitch meeting, speaking with the clients and investors, etc... But these are not really social activities in the sense that they are purely professional and goal driven.
An extrovert might thrive in coffee break speaking about the last episode of Emily in Paris but in regards of selling their SaaS to a new potential costumer, both introverts and extroverts are equally uncomfortable.
Is it ok to be a lonely founder?
The fact that introverts tolerate being alone better than extroverts does not mean that it does not eventually affect them but in general they seem to have a higher tolerance and therefore an higher stamina to endure the bootstrapping journey.
Is important to come up with strategies to avoid feeling lonely and here are some of my ideas to do so:
1- Hobbies
Having a social hobby like practicing a team sport or activity is a great way to socialize regularly.
2- Meeting Friends
Scheduling regular dinner parties or coffee with friends allows us to keep in touch and get some socializing.
3- Virtual Co-working Space
I am both the creator and member of the Wbe Space which is a community where Bootstrappers hangout, support and motivate each other which allows me to interact with like-minded people regularly.
What about you? Are you and extrovert or introvert founder?
Cheers
I can relate. For me, the loneliness part is also the hardest part of being freelance/independent.
It can also impact a lot of my productivity and become a vicious cycle:
While connecting to people in the same industry can lead to many positive effects:
Not having peers that go through the same daily struggle as you do, can feel very isolating.
I am for example a very versatile creator who does many things (maybe too many). And there is no other person with the same experience, but many with similar relatable ones (wanna connect? 😉).
When having a job, there are many people who have a VERY similar role, and daily life as you. That automatically builds community within. And if things don't go well, you have a common "enemy".
When things don't go well as an indie you mostly have yourself to blame for it. (That's how it feels)
Just reading your comment gave me the chills, really to the point. Have a look into our virtual coworking space for entrepreneurs. Might help you feel a little bit less alone. It's definitely helping me! :)
I'm 100% sure that introverts can also feel lonely, and that lack of human interaction has a serious effect on the human psyche - see for example Grigori Perelman after spending 7 years in solitude and solving the Poincare Conjecture.
If you're starting a new company, even being in communities like this one, HackerNews, startup discords and reddits can help - but the main thing that will bolster you is other entrepreneurs, in your city perhaps, that you can actually meet and talk to.
Remember, just because you're a solopreneur and can't afford to hire anyone (yet) doesn't mean you're the only one on that kind of journey. This is where having a partner in your personal life really helps also.
Totally agree. Everyone can feel lonely and it's important to avoid it.
I guess that's true if you're feeling lonely/need more exchange with other people.
Although, for an extrovert (like you), marketing (which is very important) should be much easier for you than for an introvert (like me).
not necessarily. I have met introverteds entrepreneurs that are actually really good at marketing!
I've always been a bit on an introvert - but I have been energized by making CollabClub with you and the rest in the WBE space!
I am glad you feel that way. It's a beautiful thing when a community gets its own life and people from all over the world work together :D