'Thick skin, zero ego’: Bengaluru founder opens up on five brutal years of entrepreneurship

Founder shares hard lessons from 5 years in startup life.

• Vardhman Jain warns about the harsh realities of startups
• He highlights emotional, financial toll and need for resilience
• Entrepreneurship reveals true character, many founders say

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At a time when launching a startup is increasingly seen as an aspirational career move among young Indians, a Bengaluru-based entrepreneur has offered a reality check. In a viral X post, coffee brand founder Vardhman Jain opened up about the emotional and financial toll of building a business, cautioning aspiring founders to think twice before diving in.

Jain wrote that he is close to completing five years of trying to build a coffee venture in India, a journey he described as the most gruelling experience of his life. According to him, entrepreneurship reshapes a person over time. “Building a business changes you year after year,” he said, adding that founders must develop a “thick skin,” learn to handle rejection, drop their ego and detach emotionally from their own product.

I’m about to complete 5 years of building or trying to build a coffee business in India.

This has been the most gruelling thing I’ve done, both mentally and financially. Building a business changes you year after year. You develop a thick skin for bullshit, let go of your ego,… — Vardhman Jain (@lightroastguy) March 3, 2026

He emphasised that starting up is not just about passion or ideas. Strong financial backing, the ability to accept criticism and the willingness to let go of personal biases are essential, he noted. Calling it a “long, lonely journey,” Jain advised people to reflect deeply before committing to the entrepreneurial path.

Many founders online relate

The post resonated widely, with many founders and professionals sharing their own experiences in response.

One user argued that despite the hardships, running a business still offers more dignity than enduring job-hunting struggles. Another entrepreneur shared a detailed reflection on transitioning from a structured corporate career to building a brand focused on preserving traditional crafts. The user said entrepreneurship strips away ego and romanticism, forcing founders to confront practical realities like systems, cash flow and emotional resilience. While admitting that rejection and course correction are inevitable, the person stressed that having a strong purpose can anchor entrepreneurs during turbulent phases.

A third user summed up the sentiment succinctly: “Entrepreneurship doesn’t build character, it reveals it, one brutal year at a time.”