The Story Behind Favoriot — Part 9: Leaving the Comfort Zone

Stepping Away from Comfort

I never imagined the day would come when I’d step away from the security of a stable paycheck and a corporate career spanning over three decades. For over 30 years, I climbed the corporate ladder, navigating the structured world of management, cushioned by the perks that came with it.

How Leaving a 30-Year Career to Build FAVORIOT Taught Me the True Meaning of Resilience, Adaptability, and Personal Growth

It was a good life.

Business-class flights, luxury hotel stays, and the comforting rhythm of a regular, substantial income. Yet, despite the success, something kept gnawing at me.

“Is this it? Is this all there is to my journey?” I’d often wonder.

For years, I nurtured a vision—an idea to revolutionize industries with the Internet of Things (IoT). FAVORIOT was the manifestation of that dream. But dreams, as it turns out, come with their own set of sacrifices, ones I hadn’t fully anticipated.

And boy, there were plenty.

The Financial Rollercoaster

The first punch in the gut? The financial shock. Trading a consistent income for the erratic, unpredictable rollercoaster of startup finances was like jumping off a cliff without knowing if there was water below.

One month, we had cash flow. The next? Empty accounts staring back at me.

No salary. No safety net. Just uncertainty.

“What have I done?” I’d mutter, glaring at spreadsheets that refused to make sense.

There were days I questioned my sanity, wondering if I’d miscalculated the risks. But turning back wasn’t an option. FAVORIOT wasn’t just a company; it had become my mission.

I was no longer just Mazlan Abbas, the corporate executive. I was now Mazlan Abbas, the entrepreneur responsible for a team and a vision.

Adjusting to New Realities

With financial uncertainty came a drastic shift in lifestyle. Gone were the days of business-class flights and luxury hotels. My new reality? Budgeting down to the last ringgit, stretching every expense, and redefining what “essential” meant.

I vividly remember standing in a store, eyeing a sleek new laptop. In the past, I’d have bought it without a second thought.

“Do I really need this?” I asked myself.

The answer was no.

My old laptop would do just fine. Every ringgit saved was a lifeline for the business.

Vacations? A distant memory. Overseas trips were replaced with local getaways, if any. Each sacrifice was a reminder: this was temporary, all part of a bigger picture.

But knowing that didn’t make it any easier.

Cutting Back on Personal Luxuries

Starting a business from scratch demands ruthless prioritization. Gadgets, spontaneous upgrades, and luxury splurges became relics of the past.

I missed the freedom to indulge. But scaling back taught me discipline. It forced me to focus on what truly mattered: growing FAVORIOT.

“Why am I doing this?” I’d sigh during moments of frustration.

But deep down, I knew the answer. I believed in FAVORIOT—its mission, its potential, and the impact it could create.

And that belief kept me going.

Navigating Uncertainty and Isolation

The sacrifices weren’t just financial. The emotional toll of entrepreneurship is a beast of its own.

Every day felt like walking a tightrope, balancing decisions with no safety net below. The uncertainty was suffocating.

And then there was the loneliness.

Sure, I had a team, but what was the ultimate responsibility? That was mine to bear.

“Is this really what I want?” I’d wonder during sleepless nights, staring at the ceiling.

But those moments of doubt? They were the crucible where resilience was forged.

I discovered strength I didn’t know I had, learning that this journey wasn’t just about building a business. It was about building myself.

Perseverance and Growth

Over time, I stopped seeing challenges as obstacles. Instead, they became growth opportunities.

Each setback taught me to adapt, persevere, and trust the process.

I remember a deal that could have been a game-changer for FAVORIOT. We chased it for weeks, only to face rejection.

Frustrated, I vented to a colleague.

“Mazlan, every ‘no’ gets us closer to the right ‘yes,'” they said.

That shifted my mindset.

Failures weren’t dead ends. They were lessons in disguise, pushing me to refine our approach and grow as a leader.

Reflecting on the Sacrifices

So, was it worth it?

The financial strain, lifestyle changes, and emotional rollercoaster?

Yes.

Because in losing the comforts I once knew, I gained something far more valuable: resilience, adaptability, and personal growth.

I’ve had the privilege of building FAVORIOT from the ground up, watching an idea evolve into reality.

But more importantly, I realized that entrepreneurship isn’t just about financial success. It’s about impact, purpose, and creating a legacy.

FAVORIOT isn’t just a business to me.

It’s a testament to what’s possible when you dare to step out of your comfort zone.

The Entrepreneur’s Mindset

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned? Embracing uncertainty.

Entrepreneurship is a leap into the unknown. Success isn’t guaranteed, and failure is always a possibility.

But that’s what makes it thrilling.

Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to grow.

And if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this: resilience is the backbone of entrepreneurship.

The Power of Community and Support

Entrepreneurship may feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be.

Surrounding yourself with mentors, peers, and a support system is crucial.

I’ve been blessed with a network that believed in my vision, celebrated my wins, and stood by me during the tough times.

Because while the entrepreneurial journey feels personal, it’s never a solo act.

The Entrepreneurial Journey is Yours to Define

As I reflect on my journey with FAVORIOT, I see the sacrifices and growth etched into every milestone.

It’s been a rollercoaster. But I wouldn’t change a thing.

The challenges shaped me. The sacrifices strengthened me.

For anyone considering this path, know this: it’s not easy. The sacrifices are real. The uncertainty is daunting.

But if you embrace the journey, learn from every stumble, and keep moving forward, the rewards—both personal and professional—are beyond worth it.

Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career.

It’s a mindset.

A way of life.

And for me, despite all the sacrifices, it’s been the most fulfilling experience of my life.

Favoriot Entrepreneurship Stories

1. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 8: The Frustration of Unanswered Emails and Missed Opportunities
2. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 7: The Task of Finding Favoriot’s First 10 Customers
3. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 6: Expanding The Business Models
4. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 5: Finding the Right Fit
5. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 4: How Favoriot Became More Than Just an IoT Platform
6. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 3: Why No One Wanted Our IoT Platform—And How We Turned It Around
7. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 2: Turning Failures into Milestones
8. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part I: The Humble Beginnings of Favoriot
9. Building My Personal Brand: The Stepping Stone to Favoriot’s Success
10. From Research Lab Critiques to Startup Pitches: My Slide Story
11. The Illusion of RFPs in the IoT World: Managing Expectations as a Startup
12. Favoriot’s Odyssey: Navigating the Rough Waters of Early Revenue
13. From Early Days to VC Pursuit: A Startup Founder’s Odyssey
14. Blogging My Way Through Entrepreneurship: A Habit I Cherish
15. Beyond Accolades: The Real Impact on Our Entrepreneurial Journey
16. Embracing the Diverse Entrepreneurial Journey: Why Success Takes Different Roads
17. The Subtle Art of Hiring: A Peek Into My Experience
18. The Entrepreneur’s Balancing Act: A Deep Dive into the Complexities of Startup Product Pricing
19. The Timing Trap: Our Venture with an IoT Solution and a Global Pandemic
20. Navigating Product Failure: A Tale of Three Missteps and Lessons Learned
21. Networking in Startup: An Introvert’s Tale of Growth and Connection
22. The Startup Burnout: A Founder’s Tale of Striving, Stress, and Solace
23. The Entrepreneur’s Challenge: Navigating the Pitfalls of Lack of Focus
24. The Crucial Importance of Product-Market Fit: Lessons from My Entrepreneurship Journey
25. Embracing Change: Lessons Learned from Clinging to Three Products without Pivoting
26. Learning on the Go: The Power of Podcasts in My Daily Commute
27. Learning from Mistakes: Building the Fourth Product – Favoriot IoT Platform
28. Building the Right Team: My Journey of Managing a Startup
29. Navigating The Storm: Managing Cash Flow in a Bootstrapped Startup
30. Outpacing the Startup Race: Lessons Learned from Building a Citizen Engagement App
31. Finding Harmony in Chaos: My Journey of Building 4 Products
32. Embracing Life’s Adventure: My Journey From an Academician to an Entrepreneur
33. How To Increase Your Paid Users From Free Users
34. 7 Tips How to Get Your Startup Acquired
35. Advice From ChatGPT as The Investor
36. When No New Ideas Are Generated
37. Dateline for the Next eBook
38. Academia, Industry & Government
39. Starting The Next IoT Ebook
40. An Entrepreneur – The Last Career
41. IoT eBooks by Mazlan Abbas
42. Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey with Limited Funds
43. Navigating the IoT Wave: Secrets to Capturing the IoT Platform Market
44. Audience Personas for Favoriot IoT Platform
45. Social Media Strategy for Favoriot IoT Platform
46. Innovate or Die: Embracing Steve Jobs’ Principles to Catapult Favoriot to IoT Stardom
47. How We Define the “Why” of FAVORIOT
48. FAVORIOT 6th Anniversary – The Journey Continues!
49. IoT Projects from Education to Commercialisation
50. 8 Top Challenges Building a Citizen Engagement App
51. 6 Great Challenges Building an IoT Solution for Hajj
52. How We Build Our Fourth IoT Product
53. On a Journey of IoTising Business
54. How We Build Our Third IoT Product
55. How We Build Our Second IoT Product
56. How We Build Our First IoT Product
57. How Silicon Valley Changed My View on the World of Startups