"Intentar construir una empresa y hacer que tenga éxito es como comer vidrio y mirar al abismo"

Building a company is insanely tough. It's not just about having a great idea or the right timing. It's about enduring a relentless grind, dealing with countless setbacks, and facing the brutal reality that you could fail. The quote really captures that grueling aspect. It’s like putting yourself through immense pain while constantly peering into the terrifying possibility of failure.

When Elon Musk coined this phrase, he was speaking from a place of raw experience. He’s known for his ventures—Tesla, SpaceX, and others—that have shaken up entire industries. But what people sometimes overlook is the sheer amount of hardship and stress he has faced along the way. This wasn't a smooth ride. He invested his own money, faced public skepticism, and countless near-collapses. The phrase gives us a peek into the emotional and psychological toll of entrepreneurship.

Let’s look at a real-life example: Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. She started with just $5,000 and an idea. No one believed in her at first. She faced rejection after rejection from manufacturers because her product was unconventional. It was like she was metaphorically eating glass, enduring each cut and jab from those who doubted her. But she kept going. She stared into the abyss—the possibility that her idea might never take off. Yet, she persevered and today, Spanx is a billion-dollar company.

Now, how do you apply this wisdom if you’re looking to start your own venture? First, you need resilience. You’ve gotta be ready for the pain and tough times. That means late nights, stress, and maybe even risking your own savings. Second, embrace the fear but don’t let it paralyze you. The abyss is always there, but it doesn’t mean you should stop moving forward. Third, stay adaptable. If something doesn’t work, be prepared to change course. The journey of building a company is rarely a straight line.

Let me share a story. Imagine you decide to open a small coffee shop. You’ve always loved making coffee and dreamed of having your own place. You save up, find a location, and set up shop. But things don't go as planned. The first month, hardly any customers come in. You start doubting yourself, lying awake at night wondering if you made a huge mistake. Your friends and family are supportive, but you can sense their concern. It’s painful—like chewing on shards of glass every time you look at your empty café.

You start tweaking your business model. Maybe you introduce a loyalty program or host local events to draw people in. Slowly, very slowly, you start seeing more regulars. Each new customer feels like a small triumph. You’re still staring into the abyss because there’s no guarantee things will get better, but you’re also pushing through the pain, adapting, and learning.

This is what it means to build something from the ground up. It’s tough, often brutal, but if you can endure the glass and not let the abyss stop you, there's a chance you'll come out the other side with something amazing.