The Joy & Difficulty of Launching My First Startup

Launching SoftlyWished has been one of the most exciting, and honestly one of the hardest, experiences of my life. It still feels unreal sometimes. This project started as a dream I carried quietly for months, wondering if I’d ever be able to bring it to life.

The first spark actually came during one of the most difficult periods of my life. I was overwhelmed, sad, and unsure of myself. Then one day, out of nowhere, my wife sent me a single message on WhatsApp:
“My darling, I know it’s a very hard time for you and for us, but remember we’ve passed so many difficulties together — and we will pass this one too. Love you.”
That message changed me. It reminded me how powerful simple words can be. Sometimes one sentence can rebuild your hope.

I kept thinking: What if there was a place where people could share kindness that easily? What if someone could send a message like that — even anonymously — to someone who truly needs it?
Not everyone is confident enough to express their feelings out loud. Sometimes the quiet, anonymous wishes are the ones that heal the most. I wanted SoftlyWished to make that possible.

Building this platform has been an emotional rollercoaster , sleepless nights, doubts, and unexpected moments of joy when something finally works. But seeing the first video wishes come to life made every struggle worth it.

SoftlyWished was built to help people feel remembered, supported, and loved — even when they can’t find the words themselves.

If you’re building something or dreaming of building something, I’d love to hear what inspires you to keep going.

Sam
Founder of SoftlyWished