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Imagine devoting your entire childhood to a dream and watching it fall apart just as you're about to make it happen. That's exactly what happened to me when my life's goal of becoming a professional soccer player failed at the age of 19. What felt like a devastating life crisis turned out to be the push I needed to pursue a career as an entrepreneur.
I was born in Miami, but when my family moved to Hyderabad, India, when I was five, I discovered a whole new world. School was never really my thing; Football was my true calling. At 14, my passion caught the attention of the Indian national team manager and I got the chance to train with one of the best German teams. It was a huge opportunity, but the reality of adapting to a new culture at such a young age was overwhelming.
My football journey continued at Ellesmere College in the UK where I played for the varsity team. But despite all the hard work, I failed to get a professional contract. The alternative path led me to play football at Monroe College in the USA. Even though we won the NJCAA Division I national championship, I often found myself on the sidelines realizing I wasn't good enough to play pro. It was a devastating blow.
The day I accepted that my dream of becoming a professional footballer would not come true remains etched in my memory. It felt like my world was collapsing. Everything I worked for was gone. I felt disoriented and unmotivated. I had hit rock bottom. But then I found a new path at Babson College, where I continued playing NCAA Division III soccer and joined eTower, an entrepreneurial life community that reignited my passion for building and launching businesses. Not only did it give me a new sense of purpose, but it also helped me overcome feelings of not being good enough.
Surrounded by people as ambitious as me, I founded Kickstart Sports, a consulting firm that helps athletes in India find opportunities in Europe and the United States. The pandemic thwarted this plan, but opened up new opportunities. In 2020, I worked at Compstak, a real estate data company, took a role at a real estate hedge fund in China, and led a VR/AR sneaker startup. All of these experiences ultimately led me to found DesignAI, a company that uses technology to reshape the way cities are built.
My entrepreneurial journey has been anything but linear, full of failures and successes, heartbreaking frustrations and rewarding celebrations. On the way I persevered and turned around. Here are three important lessons that shaped my journey and how you can apply them to your own, even if you feel like you're not good enough.
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1. Rebuild your confidence and find new purpose
When my football career ended, it felt like I had lost a big part of myself. I had to rebuild my confidence from scratch. It wasn't just about finding a new job; It was about rediscovering who I am outside of football. I threw myself into new activities – rugby, student organizations, networking with people from different backgrounds. This exploration was crucial in discovering a new purpose that ultimately led me to entrepreneurship.
My advice: actively seek out new experiences, even if they are unpleasant. You will discover what really excites you, what motivates you and what you are particularly good at.
2. Build and leverage a strong support system
During this difficult transition, I learned the importance of a solid support system. I reached out to mentors, leaned on friends who understood my struggles and even found therapy incredibly helpful. This network became my lifeline, providing emotional support and practical advice. One thing that worked really well was sending monthly updates to my mentors and key contacts. This kept me accountable and ensured I stayed current with them to identify opportunities.
My advice: Build a support system with people who can challenge you, support you and help you see things from different perspectives. And most importantly, maintain these relationships because they will continue to provide you with the support and feedback you need to overcome adversity.
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3. View failure as a stepping stone
Failing my soccer dream was a harsh wake-up call, but it taught me resilience. I had to face the reality that life doesn't always go as planned, and that's okay. I began to see failure as an opportunity to learn, an opportunity to grow and change. Books like The Psychology of Money and The Hard Thing About Hard Things have helped reinforce this mindset. I learned to reflect on my setbacks, learn the lessons from them, and use them to guide my next steps.
My advice: Don't be afraid of failure. It's an important part of the entrepreneurial process and helps you refine your approach and keep moving forward. Every failure or setback is an opportunity to improve – with your company or your career.
When my soccer dream was dashed and I realized I wasn't good enough to succeed on this path, I learned that resilience, a solid support system, and acceptance of failure are critical skills, especially for entrepreneurs. Challenges will come and the path will be chaotic. But if you surround yourself with the right people and refuse to give in, you can create your own version of success.
Create your very own Auto Publish News/Blog Site and Earn Passive Income in Just 4 Easy Steps
