How Do You Deal With Fear & Keep Moving Forward As A Startup CEO?

It’s Tuesday morning at 9:18AM. My heart rate suddenly raced to what felt like 200 beats per minute.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

We had just agreed to terms with a new lead investor. We were in the process of closing the funding.

And now “Raul”, one of our two existing investors, just said to me, “I think we should sell the company!”

That moment. That Tuesday at 9:18AM was the first time I really felt fear as an entrepreneur.

“What?” I asked. I stood up. I had never lost my cool speaking with Raul before. But now he had pushed the right button.

Raul smiled at me. I still remember that sadistic smile. Raul then repeated himself, “I think we should sell the company.” Raul was calm. I wasn’t.

I could literally feel my heart rate spike. Bang, bang, bang went my heart at 200 beats per minute.

And my heart rate wouldn’t slow down. Could my heart explode out of my chest? I didn’t know, but it sure felt like it could.

It was a different game now. And I was truly scared and afraid.