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Working on a start-up

January 25, 2025
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Strategy | Business Models | Tech

Tim Gouw

Working on a start-up

Having worked in large companies before, I know the allure of scale, stability, and structure. But at some point, you need to feel the pulse of a small group—whether it’s a startup or a scrappy, mission-driven team. There’s an energy in small groups that’s impossible to replicate in big organizations. It’s raw, it’s intense, and it’s deeply personal.

In a small group, you’re not just a cog in a machine; you’re a driver. Every decision, every late night, every win feels magnified because it’s yours. You learn faster, fail harder, and celebrate victories with the people who built it alongside you. It’s not about the size of the organization, it’s about the size of the ownership you feel.

That kind of energy changes you. It reminds you what it’s like to be fully alive at work. Whether you start something of your own or join a tight-knit team, it’s an experience you owe yourself at least once in your career. You might never want to go back.

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