A former Indian startup founder recently shared a heartfelt post online about the tough reality of finding a job after shutting down his business. In a Reddit post, he spoke openly about how difficult it has been to move from running a company to trying to get hired.
He shared that he had co-founded a healthy food startup with two friends. They did everything themselves—from marketing to customer support, operations, finance, compliance, and content. The business was bootstrapped, meaning it had no outside investors, and they learned everything on the go.
Eventually, the startup ran out of steam. Without funding, his co-founders left, and he had to close down the company and start looking for a job.
“Too Founder-y” for Jobs
Since then, he has been applying for jobs, attending interviews, and even getting positive feedback. But employers often told him that his experience was “too founder-like” and not specific enough for most job roles.
Many told him things like, “We’re not sure how to fit your background into this role,” or “You’re overqualified.”
He said he is not asking for senior or niche roles and is ready to adapt. Still, he feels stuck because he doesn’t perfectly match the roles he applies for.
“I’m just floating in between—asking friends and people in my network for help—wondering if I’m asking for too much by just wanting a chance,” he wrote. “This isn’t a rant, and I don’t want pity. This part of the founder journey—when it ends quietly—is not talked about enough.”
Online Support
His honest post touched many people online. Several users shared their own struggles after stepping away from their startups.
One person commented, “I was in the same situation after shutting down my company. Try reaching out directly to startup founders you admire.”
Another user said, “I had to shut my business down after using up all my savings. I’m trying to raise funds for my next idea while also applying for jobs, but nothing seems to work right now.”
His story sheds light on the silent struggle many former entrepreneurs face—and how hard it can be to start over.
