What a CEO and Co-Founder at Boring Stuff Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Startup Industry
Varun wishes business school had exposed them to the existence of a more "elevated version" of the startup CEO role, as their prior experience was a "rough and tumble" environment, unlike the current position at Boring Stuff which appears to be a better fit. They express that knowing that there were companies who "actually needed somebody like me" would have been helpful in navigating career options.
Executive/Leadership, Career Exploration, Industry Realities, Honest Opinions, Workplace Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Varun Bhuchar
CEO/Co-Founder
Boring Stuff
Dartmouth
UCLA Anderson: MBA
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts, Political Science, American Studies
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Consulting
Honors Student, Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. The role didn't exist as a known career path early on, highlighting the evolving nature of industries and the importance of exploring unconventional options.
2. Early startup experiences can be 'rough and tumble,' reflecting a challenging environment that may not suit everyone.
3. There's an 'elevated' version of the role, indicating that career progression and company culture can significantly improve the work experience over time.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
I wish I'd known it existed. I think I spent most of my business school career trying to transition into something a little more classical.
I was in a role like this before, but it wasn't as nice. Previously, it was very much rough and tumble, embodying every stereotype of a startup.
That's not an environment most people want to be in. Finding out there was a more elevated version of it and that there were people who actually needed somebody like me would have been very helpful.