dailyprompt-2011 – Dr. Mazlan Abbas

They’re Not Ignoring You—They’re Just Still Marinating

Business opportunities are like cooking shows—you never know what’s really happening behind the kitchen door until the dish suddenly lands in front of you.

Let me tell you something I’ve learned (usually after almost giving up):

Just because it’s quiet… doesn’t mean nothing’s happening.
Sometimes the silence is just the oven preheating.

Here’s how I see it:

One day, someone stumbles upon your product, your service, your pitch, your random LinkedIn post.
They don’t like, they don’t comment.
They ghost harder than your old college crush.

“That’s it, they’re not interested,” you sigh, already rehearsing your exit from entrepreneurship.

But while you’re busy spiralling into self-doubt…
They’re at home flipping through your recipe book.

They’re thinking,
“Hmmm… this looks interesting.”
Next thing you know, they’re buying ingredients. Comparing brands. Budgeting. Pitching it to their boss.

You? Still in the dark.

Meanwhile, they’re chopping onions and prepping the sambal.

Some cooks fast—like those who use instant noodles.
Others are slow burners—like Grandma’s rendang, which simmers for 8 hours and is only served during Raya.

But then, one random Tuesday, BOOM—a message drops:

“Hey! Been following you for a while. Can we talk?”

Suddenly, the dish is plated. The napkin is folded. The cutlery’s set.
And you didn’t even know you were the main course.

It’s happened to me more than I can count.

Pitch sent.
Crickets.
Six months later:
“Hi Dr. Mazlan, we’re finally ready to proceed.”

Ready?! I thought you forgot I existed!

Nope.
They were just slow-cooking the opportunity in a pressure cooker of approvals, budgets, and internal drama.

Here’s the lesson I remind myself (and now, you):

Opportunities are always cooking.
Some are frying, some are baking, some are even marinating overnight.
But just because you don’t hear the sizzle doesn’t mean the stove’s off.

So keep showing up. Keep posting. Keep refining your menu.
Because someone, somewhere, might just be in aisle 3 of Tesco, looking for the last ingredient before they call you.

And when they do?

Smile.
Welcome them to your table.

Dinner is served.

The Startup Burnout: A Founder’s Tale of Striving, Stress, and Solace

I have worn several hats throughout my entrepreneurial journey as the co-founder of a bootstrapped startup. At times, it felt like the acronym ‘CEO’ represented ‘Chief Everything Officer’ more accurately than ‘Chief Executive Officer.’ The responsibilities were colossal, and there were days I questioned if I had bitten off more than I could chew.

My primary area of focus was the sales and marketing end of our venture. The task was herculean, involving branding our nascent product, creating an appealing image, and most importantly, meeting and networking with countless people. On the other hand, my co-founder was engrossed in the technicalities and project implementation side of the business. This left me to juggle a variety of roles, often stepping into domains unfamiliar to me.

Fiscal discipline is the lifeblood of any startup, especially those on a shoestring budget. I was constantly trying to balance the books and ensure that the company had enough cash to cover salaries and other expenses. Every month felt like a race against time. It was an incessant cycle of finding new customers, closing sales, and subsequently chasing payments.

However, every venture has its share of pitfalls. Not all our marketing strategies bore fruit, leading to frustration and desperation. I found myself scrambling to find innovative ways to attract customers. It felt like a never-ending uphill battle. When I reached the point where it seemed like I had exhausted all possible avenues to generate business, I could feel the creeping tendrils of burnout.

Burnout is like a shadow in a founder’s life. It is a culmination of prolonged stress and frustration that can drain your energy and leave you feeling helpless. I experienced this at a stage where I was running on empty, both mentally and physically. At this point, I realized that continuing to push myself without respite was not the solution.

Finding solace in solitude, I decided to reduce my stress by taking a step back. I discovered the therapeutic benefits of simply taking a walk, observing the world around me, and shifting my perspective. This allowed me to step away from the consuming chaos of the startup and approach my challenges with a clear mind.

During this time, I also found comfort in the escapism of television, particularly business and entrepreneurial TV series. These shows offered a treasure trove of inspiration and innovative ideas, which I could apply in my venture. Additionally, I turned to reading – delving into uplifting stories of other entrepreneurs and their struggles. These narratives gave me hope, reassured me that my journey was not an isolated one, and provided tangible examples of overcoming adversity.

These activities became a refuge for me, an oasis in the desert of my exhaustion. They helped me recuperate and return to my work, armed with fresh perspectives and renewed vigor. While the struggles of startup life are very real and often daunting, it’s crucial to remember that even amidst chaos, there’s always a way to find tranquility. It’s in these moments of pause that we often find our best ideas and solutions, rejuvenating us for the challenges that lie ahead.

As a founder, it’s important to remember that burnout is not a sign of weakness but a signal from our mind and body that it’s time to step back and regroup. It’s a call to listen to ourselves, to invest in self-care, and to find our unique strategies for overcoming stress and achieving balance. It’s about understanding that a startup founder’s journey is not just about relentless work but also about finding moments of rest, rejuvenation, and ultimately, resilience.