I’ll never forget the week that almost broke us. My co-founder and I had only three books left to sell. Those three books were our only hope. We needed to sell all of them just to have enough money to print the next small batch.
Days passed—no one bought a single copy.
We sat there staring at those three books, the weight of our decision pressing down on us. We thought, “This is it. We can’t keep doing this. It’s just not working.” The urge to give up and return to a safe job was overwhelming.
But then, something remarkable happened.
Just as we were on the verge of quitting, a business couple we had previously consulted with reached out. They had seen our hustle, our stubborn refusal to give up. They saw our determination and offered their support—their encouragement.
Their belief in us reignited our spirit. That moment gave me the courage to do the hardest, most terrifying thing we had left to do: I sold my car. And I went to my parents and asked them to co-sign an $8,000 bank loan.
That encouragement from the business couple gave me the hope to keep going. A short time later, as I describe in my ‘Hard Work vs. Luck’ article, I attended a workshop at NUS that gave me the final practical plan I needed. It proved something I’d only dared to hope: you don’t need a perfect start. You need a commitment so strong that others can’t help but see it.
What We Learned About Starting With Nothing
Looking back, I realize a few things made the difference between giving up and pushing through. These aren’t fancy business strategies—they’re just honest lessons from a team who had to figure it out the hard way.
1. Good Ideas and Grit Attract Help
We didn’t have investors. But we had a clear vision and a relentless work ethic. That commitment is what the business couple saw in us. When you have a solid idea and you work on it with everything you’ve got, people notice. Some will want to help—even if it’s just with the encouragement you need to take the next step.
2. Use Whatever You’ve Got Right Now
We had basic knowledge about books and printing. That was it. So we used it. Maybe you have a smartphone and a particular skill. Or a car and some free time. Whatever it is—that’s your starting point. Don’t wait until you have “enough.” Start with what’s already in your hands.
3. Ask for Help (Seriously, Just Ask)
This is hard for many of us. I get it. But here’s the truth: we wouldn’t have survived without the encouragement from that couple, and I wouldn’t have survived without the financial backing from my parents. You don’t have to do everything alone. Find people who get what you’re trying to do. Ask for advice. Share resources. Learn from them.
4. Think Small, Act Big
Our first print run was tiny. But we treated it like the most important project in the world—because to us, it was. Small steps done consistently will always beat big plans that never happen. Focus on making progress, even if it’s just a little bit each day.
My Advice If You’re Thinking About Starting Something
Look, starting with nothing is brutal. There were days we weren’t sure if our first business would survive. That week, staring at those three unsold books, was one of the lowest points of our lives.
But here’s what I know now: the biggest obstacle isn’t your empty bank account. It’s the voice in your head telling you that you can’t.
If you have an idea you believe in, try it. Start messy. Start small. Start scared—if that’s what it takes.
Just start—because waiting never builds anything.
Because ten years from now, you’ll either have a story about how you built something from nothing—or you’ll still be waiting for the “right time.”
