Overcoming fear and doubt going from corporate to startup

Photo credit: Dana Tentis

This is a Discuss post, where we feature short but insightful opinions from the Asian tech community on startup, entrepreneurship, and tech topics. Got a topic or question to suggest? Drop us an email or leave a comment.

You’ve signed that resignation. You’ve just walked out the door from your comfy corporate job to start a startup, and then suddenly, a thought comes to mind: What have I done?

Regret? Fear? An urge to run back and grovel at your boss’s desk? What does it feel when you finally take that step and quit your job? We asked three people who’ve done so and lived to tell the tale.

Editor’s note: Answers have been edited for clarity.

Marcus Yong, SEA regional marketing lead at Klook and former digital marketing lead for Scoot

Before Klook, I was at Scoot, leading digital marketing for the airline across Asia-Pacific. I got a message on LinkedIn one day from my now colleague about kickstarting Klook’s SEA efforts with him.

To be frank, I was not on the lookout for a move at that time because I loved the Scoot brand and what we were doing. But somehow, the idea of starting something from scratch and building a team, culture, and brand called out to me, and I wanted to see how far I could push myself.

I’ve always wanted to start my own business and this felt like the perfect opportunity to test myself. Instead of being a cog in a corporate “machine,” why not design and build that machine? It also helped that Klook had a business proposition and platform that I identified strongly with—connecting free independent travelers with a free and seamless SaaS solution.

I’ve been with Klook for two years, and we’ve seen immense growth not just on the business front but also the team (we now have 15 offices globally and have raised close to US$100 million to date).

My advice to people looking to join a startup would be to ask yourself if you’re ready to build the “machine” instead of being a cog in one. Don’t be afraid to fail because being too safe is what kills innovation, agility, and creativity.

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