"Founder"

#3: identity shifts and surrealists

I've been wanting to get in the habit of writing and publishing regularly, so I started an accountability group with a few friends. Last week I wagered $50 that I would publish a newsletter by Wednesday at 11 am. I didn’t write all week, and it’s now Wednesday at 9 am. So here I am, writing…further proof that charging your friends really works.

"Founder"

I co-founded a company in April. I'm the CTO, and I feel well-prepared for the work itself, after working closely with the CTO at my last company (where I was the first engineering hire and second employee).

But the identity shift has been uncomfortable. The other day in a group conversation, I referenced two "students" I was "tutoring" in CS. My friend @choosy_mom called me out: "Those aren't your students Priya, they're your interns. You gotta own it!”

My co-founder pointed out that I'd barely mentioned the company to anyone, and nudged me to update my LinkedIn bio. The day after I updated my bio, I got a cold email from a VC who had seen it. Turns out if you tell people about your work, they want to help you. 

Every person I've told about the company has been enthusiastic and supportive; The awkwardness is only in my head. Visa talks about the "overton window of self-perception": the way you allow yourself to see yourself, the limits you set on your own identity. So I'm working to expand my personal overton window to encompass "founder".

Jessterrific

My cousin has been making funky art 🤪 . Follow her on insta!