It’s a Knockout, But Here’s How to Stay in the Ring

Startup Life: Trials, Triumphs, and Tough Lessons
- It’s a Knockout, But Here’s How to Stay in the Ring

If startup life had a theme song, it would be that classic Rocky montage—minus the triumphant ending (at least for a while). Because let’s be real, running a startup isn’t a single fight—it’s a never-ending boxing match. Some days, you’re landing knockout punches. Other days, you’re just trying to stay on your feet while the universe swings haymakers at your head.

But here’s the thing: the founders who win aren’t always the strongest, the smartest, or even the most well-funded. They’re the ones who know how to take the hits, pivot when needed, and keep swinging.

So, how do you survive the ring? How do you keep fighting when the punches keep coming? Here’s what I’ve learned.

1. Learn to Love the Jab – Small Wins Matter

Big wins are amazing, but they don’t happen every day. And if you’re only waiting for the headline-worthy moments, you’re going to burn out fast.

• Secured a small grant? Win.

• Got your first paying customer? Win.

• Launched a feature without breaking everything? Win.

Startups don’t grow through massive knockouts. They grow through relentless, strategic jabs—small, consistent progress that wears down the obstacles in your way.

2. Keep Your Hands Up – Protect Your Mental and Financial Stamina

No kickboxer walks into the ring and leaves their guard down (unless they want to get floored in round one). The same goes for founders. You have to protect yourself.

• Cash flow is your defense—if you run out, game over. Be scrappy. Stretch every dollar. Don’t swing big if you can’t afford the miss.

• Mental resilience is everything—burnout is real, and exhaustion is the fastest way to make bad decisions. Take breaks, lean on your team, and don’t pretend you can do it all alone.

• Your network is your corner team—the right mentors, advisors, and peers can pull you back into the fight when you’re ready to throw in the towel.

3. Get Used to the Rope-a-Dope – Not Every Hit Needs a Reaction

Startups are full of distractions disguised as opportunities. Not every rejection, bad review, or competitor move needs your energy. Learn when to engage and when to conserve your strength.

• Investors ghosting you? Move on.

• A potential partner dragging their feet? Don’t wait—keep building.

• A competitor launches something similar? Stick to your lane and execute better.

The biggest mistake founders make? Wasting time on things they can’t control instead of doubling down on what actually moves the business forward.

4. Take the Hits, But Never Stop Moving

The reality is, you will lose rounds.

• A deal will fall apart at the last second.

• A product launch will flop.

• A “perfect” hire won’t work out.

But here’s the deal: losing a round doesn’t mean losing the fight. The only way you actually fail is if you stop moving. Adapt, iterate, pivot if you have to—but never stay down.

5. Stay Hungry, Stay in the Fight

The best fighters don’t just rely on talent. They rely on grit, endurance, and the ability to outlast the pain.

Startup life is exhausting. It will test you in ways you never expected. But if you want it badly enough—if you’re willing to push through the setbacks, outlast the rejections, and show up even on the hardest days—you’ll still be standing when others throw in the towel.

And in this game, the last founder standing wins.

So keep swinging. Keep learning. Keep fighting. The best is yet to come.

Yours in tourism, innovation and startups,

Founder & CEO
Roamlii