The entrepreneurial journey of Harsh Pokharna from Flipkart to founding OkCredit, highlighting the challenges, lessons, and the importance of perseverance.
Harsh Pokharna, an IIT Kanpur graduate and co-founder of Bengaluru-based OkCredit, has openly shared his decade-long entrepreneurial journey, providing insights into the challenges and realities of building a startup. His story resonates with many aspiring entrepreneurs who dream of leaving high-paying jobs to create their own ventures.
Pokharna’s journey began when he left his job at Flipkart, driven by the ambition of achieving quick financial success. Inspired by the surge of startup founders securing substantial funding, he envisioned a similar path for himself. However, the initial years proved to be significantly different from his expectations.
Early Setbacks and Freelancing
Despite experimenting with three different business ideas, none gained the traction he anticipated. This led to financial strain, depleting his savings. To sustain himself, Pokharna turned to freelancing while continuing to explore potential business ventures. These early setbacks taught him valuable lessons about the realities of entrepreneurship.
The Founding of OkCredit
After two years of persistent effort, Pokharna co-founded OkCredit, a digital ledger platform designed for small businesses. Over time, the startup gained momentum and recognition. OkCredit provides a simple and efficient way for small business owners to manage their transactions and credit accounts digitally, replacing traditional paper-based ledgers.
Key Lessons and Insights
Pokharna’s experiences underscore a crucial lesson about the startup ecosystem: success is rarely instant. He emphasizes that building a business is a long-term commitment, not a shortcut to wealth. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to be driven by a genuine desire to solve problems rather than the allure of quick riches. This perspective highlights the importance of passion and perseverance in the face of challenges.
On Instagram, Pokharna elaborated on his journey, noting that he initially quit his Flipkart job with the expectation of making a lot of money quickly, influenced by the funding rounds he witnessed. He revealed that he failed for the first two years, trying three different ideas before finally finding success with OkCredit. During that time, he had to freelance to support himself after using up his savings.
Even after eight years of building OkCredit, Pokharna acknowledges that there is still a long way to go. He reiterated that a startup is a long-term endeavor and not a get-rich-quick scheme. His advice is to pursue entrepreneurship only if you are genuinely passionate about solving a problem, otherwise, disappointment is likely.
Netizen Reactions and Support
Pokharna’s candid reflections have resonated with many aspiring entrepreneurs, who have shared their own struggles and experiences in response. Many have acknowledged his perseverance as a source of inspiration. The common sentiment among responses underscores the demanding nature of startups, requiring strategic planning, relentless effort, and, above all, patience.
One netizen expressed that Pokharna’s journey and determination are truly inspiring, reminding others to keep pushing forward. Another praised his honesty, noting that such openness is rare. People have supported the Bengaluru-based CEO for expressing his hardship. Comments included appreciation for his story and perseverance, with one user stating that it pushed them to never give up and wanting his review on their ideas.
Another user shared that they could relate to his experiences, having gone through similar challenges. One comment highlighted the importance of resilience, recognizing that failure is part of the entrepreneurial game. The user thanked Pokharna for sharing his remarkable journey and experience. Another person added that every overnight success is a journey of more than 1000 days.
Conclusion
Harsh Pokharna’s story serves as a reminder that entrepreneurship is a challenging but potentially rewarding path. His willingness to share his struggles and insights provides valuable guidance for those considering launching their own ventures. By emphasizing the importance of perseverance, passion, and a long-term perspective, Pokharna encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to approach the startup world with realistic expectations and a commitment to solving real-world problems.
Sources: https://m.economictimes.com/magazines/panache/iit-kanpur-graduate-left-a-high-paying-job-to-get-rich-fast-after-10-years-of-struggle-he-is-warning-others/articleshow/118593156.cms
https://www.cnbctv18.com/business/startup/bengaluru-based-ceo-shares-harsh-realities-of-building-a-startup-19566230.htm
https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/iitian-who-quit-flipkart-to-launch-startup-reveals-harsh-reality-after-10-years-of-struggle-101740558445329.html