STARTUP FOUNDER’S STORIES
You’ve come this far. Keep going.
The past seven years of my entrepreneurial journey have been a rollercoaster, filled with more failures and wrong decisions than my entire 20-year career in academia and corporate leadership combined.
Reflecting on these years, I often find myself engaged in deep self-dialogue, questioning my choices and pondering the worth of my dreams.
This story is not just a recollection of my setbacks but an attempt to inspire myself — and hopefully others — by embracing these challenges as stepping stones to eventual success.
Reality sets in
I remember the day we founded FAVORIOT, brimming with enthusiasm and confidence.
“This is it, Mazlan,” I told myself, “This is the moment you’ve been preparing for your whole life.”
Little did I know, the path ahead was not a straight line but a labyrinth of trials and tribulations.
In the early days, my optimism was unshakeable. I believe in our product, vision, and ability to revolutionize the IoT landscape.
However, reality quickly set in.
The first product we launched didn’t resonate with the market. “How could this happen?” I questioned myself. We had poured countless hours into development, convinced of its potential.
Yet, the market had other ideas.
I had made a fundamental error in understanding our market segment.
I realized too late that we were targeting the wrong audience.
This mistake cost us precious time and resources.
It was a humbling experience, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of self-doubt. “Am I cut out for this? Can I lead this company to success?”
Despite this setback, I pressed on. I gathered my team and redirected our focus.
Refining and pivoting – a non-stop process
We refined our product, pivoting towards a different market segment. I was determined to learn from my mistakes.
“Failure is not the end, Mazlan. It’s a lesson. Get back up and try again.”
As we pushed forward, the rejections started piling up.
Customers turned us down, proposals were dismissed, and sales were hard to come by.
Each “no” felt like a personal affront. “Why can’t they see the value in what we’re offering?” I often wondered aloud.
It was disheartening, but giving up was never an option.
Investor meetings became a test of resilience.
Time and again, we faced rejection.
Investors questioned our projections, market strategy, and even our execution capability.
“What am I missing?” I would ask myself after each meeting.
It was a stark reminder that belief in our vision was insufficient; we needed to prove it with solid results.
One particularly tough rejection stands out.
We had been in discussions with a potential investor for months, confident that we had a deal.
When they finally declined, it felt like a punch to the gut. “What now, Mazlan? How do we move forward from this?”
I found myself at a crossroads, questioning the viability of our dream.
When you get that self-doubt
In these moments of doubt, I turned to my inner dialogue for strength.
“Remember why you started this journey,” I would remind myself.
“It’s not about the immediate success or the approval of others. It’s about your vision for a connected world and the impact you want to make with IoT.”
The entrepreneurial journey is often romanticized, but the reality is far from glamorous.
It’s a test of endurance, patience, and relentless pursuit.
I’ve made countless wrong decisions — about the product, the market segment, the customers, and the forecast.
Each misstep has been a painful but necessary part of the learning process.
One significant mistake was our initial customer forecast.
I had overestimated the market readiness and underestimated the competition.
Our projections were wildly optimistic, leading to a cash flow crisis.
“How could I have been so wrong?” I chastised myself.
Lessons from failures
It was a harsh lesson in the importance of thorough market research and realistic projections.
However, each failure also brought clarity.
We learned to adapt and be agile in our approach.
When one strategy failed, we devised another.
I realized resilience is not about never falling but always getting back up.
“Mazlan, you are stronger than your failures. Each ‘no’ brings you closer to a ‘yes’. Keep pushing forward.”
The entrepreneurial journey has also been a test of belief—in myself, my team, and our vision.
There were times when the weight of doubt threatened to crush my spirit.
“Is it worth it? Should I give up and return to the safety of a regular job?” These thoughts plagued me during the darkest hours.
Yet, in those moments, I found solace in my past.
My entire career has been a series of unexpected turns and challenges.
From academia to corporate leadership, I have faced and overcome numerous obstacles.
“You didn’t come this far only to come this far,” I reminded myself. No matter how difficult, each step was part of a larger journey towards a greater goal.
I began to see failures not as endpoints but as valuable feedback.
Each rejection, each wrong decision, was a lesson in disguise.
“What can I learn from this? How can I improve?” These questions became my mantra, guiding me through the maze of entrepreneurship.
Where do I get that strength to move on
Building FAVORIOT has been more than just a business venture; it’s been a personal adventure.
I’ve discovered strengths I never knew I had and weaknesses that needed addressing.
The journey has forged a resilience I didn’t know existed. “Mazlan, you are capable of more than you realize. Keep going.”
My team’s support has been invaluable.
Together, we’ve weathered the storms of doubt and disappointment.
Their belief in our vision has been a constant source of motivation.
“We are in this together,” I often tell them. “Our success and failure will be shared. We learn and grow as a team.”
As I look back on the past seven years, I see a collection of experiences — each one representing a lesson learned, a challenge overcome, a dream pursued.
The failures and wrong decisions are not scars but badges of honor, marking the journey of an entrepreneur who dared to dream.
There is no guaranteed path to success in entrepreneurship.
The road is fraught with obstacles and uncertainties.
But it is also a journey of discovery, of pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
“Mazlan, this is your story. Own it, embrace it, and let it propel you forward.”
To anyone in a similar position, questioning the worth of their dreams amid countless failures, I say this: Do not give up.
The road towards the final goal
The road may be long and arduous, but each step brings you closer to your goal.
Embrace the challenges, learn from the setbacks, and let your resilience shine.
Success is not a destination; it is a journey.
Every failure, every wrong decision, is a step towards growth and improvement.
“Keep moving forward, Mazlan. Your dreams are worth fighting for.”
So, I continue on this path with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.
The entrepreneurship journey is far from over, and I am ready to face whatever comes next.
With each challenge, I grow stronger, more resilient, and ever closer to achieving the vision that started it all.
“Mazlan, you’ve come this far. Keep going. One day, you will look back and see that every failure was a step towards your success.”
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 