Category: Entrepreneurial Journey

Yesterday, I moved myself out my apartment as my lease was up. It had been exactly one year since paying rent for the first time. It gave me a chance to reflect upon life as a full time entrepreneur for the past year.

Last year, when I first moved in, I was making some revenue, but it was still pretty tight. Now I’ve saved up money from my corporate days, but I really didn’t want to touch savings if I could help it. Since I had gotten rid of almost all of my belongings when I moved back home to Milwaukee, I had to go through the process of buying all the little things like pots, pans, silverware, salt, pepper, TV’s, desks, shelves, etc. again. These things start to add up pretty quickly. It was great being on my own again, but I was also starting to feel just how much it costs just to exist (especially in California!). read more

Last week, I paid rent for the first time in a year and a half. I had paid rent (and for most of the time, a mortgage) for over 15 years prior to this. However, this payment felt different. This payment was made with money I earned as a full time entrepreneur.

I didn’t plan on living in my parents place for over a year and a half, but the circumstances worked out well. There are many ways where the Asian/Asian American culture hinders entrepreneurship (I’ve even started a support group called EntreAsians), but there are also ways where it helps. As in many other cultures, unconditional love of family is huge. My parents didn’t charge me rent, and probably would be borderline offended if I had offered to pay. They only allowed me to treat them dinners a few times, and only after I convinced them it was just a small amount. My time back in my home town and in my parent’s guest room allowed me to reduce my burn rate to almost zero as I struggled to create a business capable of supporting me. read more