Sindre Kaupang’s Post

Entrepreneurship is in my DNA. I began selling business cards door-to-door when I was just 12 years old because I wanted my own business, like my father. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes along the way, but I’ve also learned a great deal about what it takes to last as an entrepreneur. This Newsweek article features 18 tips from successful founders. I’ll add two more here to bring the list to an even 20 pieces of advice: Cut Out the Noise  When you’re disrupting a market or designing something completely new, you’re going to have naysayers. People may say, “That won't work because it's never been done before.” If that's the only data point, put on the noise-canceling headphones when they come around. Ride the Rollercoaster Success in business is never a straight line. You’re going to have challenges that you didn’t anticipate and never could have fully planned for. Hang on tight and enjoy the ride. It makes the highs even more exhilarating. Check out what the others have to say here…

Hi LinkedIn, I’m Jamie 👋 It’s been a while since I introduced myself, and with some new faces around here, I thought now’s a good time! I’m a business owner and investor, and my journey started back in 2016 when I launched my family business. Since then, we’ve housed well over 1,000 homeless families — a project I’m incredibly proud of. But things haven’t always been plain sailing. After starting my business and thinking I knew it all (spoiler: I didn’t), I had a few unsuccessful startups—more like side hustles, really. I lacked focus and a clear mission. Now? They’re no longer around. I took time to learn, build, and grow — both personally and professionally. And now, I’ve shifted gears... I still run my first business, but I’m also focused on investing in and acquiring businesses, building talented teams, and driving companies towards ambitious growth. My mission? To inspire young entrepreneurs (do I still count as young?) to think bigger, take action, and develop the mindset needed to achieve their goals. What drives me? → Building businesses, taking them forward with fresh ideas and new energy. → Working and surrounding myself with amazing people who inspire me. → Constantly learning, improving, and striving to become the best version of myself. One big lesson I’ve learned? Thinking bigger and setting clear goals is everything. And the people you spend time with? That matters too. I now mix with people who run big businesses, and it pushes me to aim higher every single day. In case you didn’t know, I dropped out of university after a year and a half (classic entrepreneur move, I know). No regrets about going, and no regrets about leaving. That decision let me fully pursue my passion for business. Bonus fact: I also run Karis' Helping Hand, a charity supporting children with brain tumours that’s very close to my heart. That’s enough about me, here’s my thought of the day… Too many entrepreneurs think success will just land in their lap. Here’s the truth: visualising isn’t enough. If you’re not picking up the phone, making that call, booking that meeting, and putting in the work every day, you’re getting nowhere. Stop waiting for things to happen and MAKE them happen. "The only thing standing between you and success is the work you're avoiding.” --- If we don’t know each other yet, let’s connect. Drop me a comment or message—I’m always keen to meet and learn from other entrepreneurs on similar journeys. Have an awesome day everyone! 🔥

Opin is launching TODAY (for just my friends and family, TOMORROW is the global launch!)  Read on for a special limited-time offer... I've been so fortunate to build and sell 7 & 8-figure companies while facing the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, but nothing has ever had the potential for impact like Opin. Being an entrepreneur is hard. Being an entrepreneur is lonely. But it doesn't have to be. At Opin, we are on a mission to create the largest global community built for entrepreneurs. Imagine a place where you can connect with other ambitious do-ers who understand your struggles, build new relationships, find new mentors, and gain access to the world's most successful people. Get practical advice from business legends, world-class athletes, actors, people who have built massive communities, AND have an opportunity to join them in a LIVE Q&A. People like Shark Tank's Daymond John, Melissa Ben-Ishay, Amanda Cerny, David Meltzer, Bradley Martin, Oz Pearlman, and more insanely successful mentors are dropping every single month! Today, we’re having a soft launch for JUST my network of friends. This is your exclusive invitation to be one of the FIRST to join Opin. Tomorrow, my business partner Adam Weitsman will be sharing the news of Opin's launch with his amazing community, and we expect a huge influx of new members to join our community. So here's my ask: Whether you want to start your first business or you're already on your entrepreneurial journey, join today and you'll be one of the FIRST to gain access to unparalleled resources, connections, and mentorship. As a thank you for people JUST in my network, if you add in the code "launch", you'll receive 20% off our already discounted membership for founding members! This will only last until midnight & is only available to my network as a thank you for your friendship. https://lnkd.in/e4zn3jBy I’d be so grateful if you could share this post or help create visibility by engaging. We are committed to making Opin the best community for entrepreneurs, and having my friends as the first members would mean the world to me. My vision for Opin is to help millions of entrepreneurs around the world find their passion and grow their businesses through community and mentorship. With that in mind, I'll be building this company openly, right alongside our community, sharing the good and bad as we scale the platform, working insanely hard to drive an insane amount of value for our members. I'll use Opin as a blueprint to share all the secrets of building a business from idea, to business plan, to scaling impact around the world! Speaking of working hard, HUGE shout out to the team at Opin. I had this idea in October of last year, so that means in 8 months, it went from an idea to reality. That would NOT be possible without the incredible Opin team - I am so, so lucky. Thank you all for your support and for being part of this journey. Let’s build something amazing together!!

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆?  ...................... And if you get close to what you love, who you are is revealed to you, and it expands... For me, strangely, it began with coming across an Asian Paints ad on television, depicting a scene of a boy and his grandfather marking the boy's growing height and hanging his drawing on the wall. The paint company celebrates the essence of home, emphasizing that it's not a showroom but a space where memories are cherished and etched into every corner. And there you go, I was in love. My world just expanded... The feeling that a product can do so little for you in material terms, yet encompasses so much, keeps giving back to me. I think to chase the same feeling, I joined this community, Entrepreneurship Cell, VIT , which celebrates empowering people to venture out, to create, or simply to breed business, as we say. As I like to see it, it not only teaches us how to create new jobs but also how to create a renewed sense of purpose. The sense that we, as a cohesive pack of undaunted college folks, are building toward something truly definitive. From creating our first mini Shark Tank event to the National Entrepreneurship Challenge experience, from building Futurepreneurs with the "Research" tribe to anchoring alongside Aastha Rohatgi for Innoventure, 𝐼’𝑣𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙! 𝗦𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 1. Confusion is okay! Don’t be afraid to pitch in your ideas, even if they sound silly. Who knows? You might be in the reckoning for the next billion-dollar disruption, or at least avoid a bad financial decision. 2. Speaking of discoveries, don’t be afraid to be a little Deewana, a little crazy in the pursuit of your visions. Not to cut down your expectations, but to raise your standards. 3. And with all the hard work, tiring days and nights of planning, it boils down to the simple truth that at a certain point in life, you catch a public mood and time, and by a happy accident, you embody it in your work, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔.  Other times, you miss it by a whisker. Anyways, the story's still being written. Growth happens when everyone grows along with you... Thank you to all the team members who have been the most amazing people I have worked with, and whose passion and love for the craft have driven me throughout. Special thanks to Khush Sanghavi and Ashray Srivastava for teaching us that perfection is in the minute details, to Nishika Jain and Saket Malpani for your wholesomely genuine support, And to O’Captain, Khwab Vachhani, for sparking our imagination. Entrepreneurship Cell, VIT surely has, and will continue to speak the 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒 & 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑙𝑒 grammar of entrepreneurship. Forever indebted, Suhani Gujrati Manan Ukani Chandan Reddy Aum Pagar Tejal Prabhu Abhinav Dubey Aryak Singh Anjaneya Gupta Atharva Kulkarni Riddhi Panchal Arul Goyal Pratyush Kongalla

First milestone as an entrepreneur: Achieved! Thrived as a business for the first year, did some really interesting work with impactful people, learned a bunch of new things! Today I feel like how I used to feel as a kid playing a new video game, unlocking achievements, levelling up, winning the boss games! I can't put that emotion into words. When I kickstarted my bootstrapped initiative last year in August, I was already planning it and thinking about what it'd mean to be an entrepreneur for a year, at least. By now, I'm quite familiar with my eccentricities, what I do well, what I can learn, and what I cannot develop further (a.k.a my rigidities). Here's what I knew about what to expect in the first year of operating, based on what I knew about myself: 1. I'll find the uncertainties difficult to navigate. According to my pattern, I'll be fine feeling that struggle, and I need to plan keeping in mind the time and energy I'd need to replenish. 2. I won't breakeven in the first year. I did the math before I started. I know when I'll breakeven but it won't be in the first year, and isn't my goal. 3. I want to work and collaborate with people who carry a similar vision as mine - building spaces and pushing systems to help everyone thrive. This is what will amplify my energy investment into the collaborations, and return it back to me. My objectives for the first year, therefore were about taking small steps: 1. Learning agenda: a. Deepen my learnings about working with people and groups; b. Learn business planning, financial planning and how to market my work, c. Learn how to build personal branding, 2. Networking agenda: a. Find and connect with people doing innovative work, b. Connect with more mental healthcare professionals, c. Find thought partners and design social impact programmes, 3. Build my frameworks and offerings based on my experiences and expertise. Break them and rebuild them based on client feedback. I can't build offerings that I don't have conviction in, or aren't working for my clients. No offering will be perfect - every service and product feedback is an opportunity for growth. I do have a big, hairy, audacious goal. I find it absolutely reasonable to believe that together we can build systems where everyone can thrive. I'm glad I had broken it down to these three for the first year, because even with a health issue cropping up that kept me from work for almost 5 months, I have still managed to do all of these and a bit more. On this one year anniversary, I had a conversation with my future self. This is a guided imagery exercise - very effective for self coaching. Here's what I'll do to become who I want to become - I'll pace myself, I'll sometimes go alone, sometimes with others, I'll take rest, I'll do what brings me energy, what helps me thrive. #SelfCoaching #Entrepreneurship #Solopreneur #MentalHealth #WellBeing #Thrive #GoalSetting #Planning Photo 310247380 © B Robert | Dreamstime.com

Let me tell you about Noah. A client I recently had the pleasure of coaching. This guy's story is pure inspiration. A seasoned General Manager at a big-shot financial institution.  Noah knew the ropes of leadership inside and out. But then, he decided to take a leap. A giant leap into the wild world of entrepreneurship. Now, Noah's no rookie.  He's got a family of three little ones counting on him, and suddenly, he's managing a team of 12 on top of all that.  Talk about a juggling act.  The struggle was real, trying to balance the demands of building a business from scratch with being, you know, an awesome dad. It was like learning a whole new language, one with way more sleepless nights and way less fancy suits. The first hurdle?  Noah's new venture was a bit of a free-for-all. → No clear processes → No systems It was like trying to navigate a jungle with a blindfold on. Growth?  Efficiency?  Forget about it. That's where we came in.  We dove headfirst into the messy jungle that was Noah's business. We identified the bottlenecks → The inefficiencies that were holding him back.  Together, we built a plan, a clear path through the foliage.  Streamlined workflows, robust frameworks → We set the stage for his business to finally take off and leave the jungle behind. And Noah?  He wasn't just along for the ride.  This guy grew some serious confidence along the way. He... → Learned the ropes of entrepreneurship  → Embraced the crazy → Emerged a leader ready to tackle anything  He's got a roadmap for success now, with innovative marketing strategies and targeted outreach plans to give him a leg up on the competition. Long-term prosperity?  Market leader?  You bet. But the best part?  Noah's journey is far from over.  He's still out there, conquering the entrepreneurial landscape.  He's doing it all while being an amazing dad.  He's a role model for any aspiring dadpreneurs out there, a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and that never-give-up spirit.  So, here's to Noah, the ex-suit turned startup slayer (and full-time awesome dad) Tell Me: Have you ever had to juggle multiple roles and responsibilities?

Hello, I have an idea spinning in my head that has me excited. It's a new idea, so please bear with me. Since starting my entrepreneurial journey, I've had the privilege of connecting with super passionate individuals, all driven to carve their own path. These connections sparked this idea and I would love to have you involved!   Talking to other new entrepreneurs, I've heard the same sentiments; creating in us a state of anxiety, confusion and overwhelm. Things like:   I'm overwhelmed I'm afraid of stuff falling through the cracks I'm not sure where to start I know I need processes but don't know where to start I'm not sure how to balance doing what I started the business for and working on the business (you know, because now we own it 😉) And so much more…   I'm picturing a community, a haven for new entrepreneurs like us, united in our pursuit of sustainable success. A place that helps us move to a state of confidence, organization and efficiency.    It's a vision of a community where we support each other, navigating the twists and turns of entrepreneurship together. From the early steps of getting started, to becoming organized with processes and systems designed for efficiency and automation, all the way up to realizing the dreams that ignited our passions – this community will be there every step of the way, providing a roadmap that helps us organize and prioritize everything we need to do.   A place where every milestone, no matter how small, is celebrated. An environment filled with passionate individuals, all new to the scary but oh so exciting world of business ownership.   Like I said, this is still a new idea…   But if the idea resonates with you, if the thought of embarking on this journey with a supportive like minded community excites you like it does me, then I would love to work together to make this a reality. I invite you to be a founding member where you'll have a hand in determining the direction by sharing your challenges, insights and feedback.   If you want to become a founding member, you will be locked in at the price of $15 per month for as long as you remain a member. Once we launch to the public, the price will increase.   As I mentioned, I have an idea and a vision but the details have not been worked out yet. Nothing has officially been created. And I expect some of the best ideas will come from you and others who join me as a founding member.   So, if you're as eager as I am to tap into a network of support, to lend a hand to fellow entrepreneurs, and be part of something truly special, I would love to embark on this adventure together – because together we are stronger and have boundless potential.   Join me. Become a founding member.   All you need to do is DM me… By 4/17 when the founding member launch ends.

Entrepreneurship Lessons: The Power of Discipline What does today’s successful entrepreneur have in common with a Navy SEAL, a former world heavyweight champion, or tech luminaries like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk? Great entrepreneurs – and their startup teams – equip themselves with discipline to overcome the inevitable challenges of building their businesses. Waking up at 4 A.M. isn’t just a habit for Jocko Willink. He famously starts his day with self-imposed challenges—grueling workouts and relentless routines. It’s a daily commitment to meet high standards and tackle hard things head-on. That’s discipline in action. An IPO is a glamorous milestone, but getting there is all about the grind. Late nights, tough decisions, and relentless pursuit of progress demand discipline. “You’re nothing without discipline. Because you give up with the slightest struggle without discipline. Discipline is doing what you hate to do, but do it like you love it.” – Mike Tyson (JRE Episode #1532, August 27, 2020). Discipline also means saying “no” to distractions that derail your mission. Steve Jobs famously said: “I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I’ve done. Innovation is saying ‘no’ to 1,000 things.” (Jobs, S. Make Something Wonderful: Steve Jobs in His Own Words. Steve Jobs Archive, 2023). It’s not about quick wins or fantasy scenarios like sipping a pina colada during a “4-hour work week.” The stark reality of building a startup is the grind: hard work, sleepless nights, and navigating countless obstacles. Success requires the discipline to push through these challenges and stay focused on your vision. Your startup is an authentic expression of your vision. Set your alarm, get to work, and build something extraordinary! Explore more about the “Power of Discipline” – and other topics relevant to the Zero-to-IPO™ journey – at The Savvy Startup Advisor.  #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #DisciplineEqualsFreedom #LeadershipLessons #ZeroToIPO #FoundersMindset #Leadership #Discipline #EntrepreneurMindset

What Really Motivates a Founder? 💡 When I first entered the startup world, my motivation was simple: how often does a stranger offer you $100K to take a shot at your dream? That excitement fueled me in the early days. Then, when the rejections piled up—countless “no’s” from VCs, and even my ex-girlfriend’s dad telling me, “Your business will never be successful and neither will you”— my motivation turned to spite to prove people wrong. When I raised my first round, everything changed. Suddenly, my “why” became about making my investors proud—a responsibility I still carry today. Later, as the company grew, I found a new driver: giving back to my parents. At 36, I was able to buy them a home, which meant more to me than words can express. But at 38, leading one of the largest and fastest-growing online tire retailers, my motivations have evolved yet again. One thing I’ve learned: financial success can’t be the only motivation. It will burn you out, or you’ll achieve it and wonder, What’s next? For me, there's another factor beyond money. It’s about the impact TireAgent can make. Recently, I learned that a village belonging to someone I know was devastated by a typhoon—no drinkable water, no food. Without hesitation, I thought: I have to help. A quick call to an old fraternity brother turned into a mission to send water filters and food. The emotion on that person’s face when I shared the good news was incredibly inspiring. That urgency to make a difference has become another powerful motivation for me. But another force has always been there, quietly shaping my journey: my love for the industry. Since I was 18, I’ve been obsessed with the tire industry—the people, the camaraderie, the evolution over time. This passion has carried me through ups and downs. Last year, that love was rekindled like never before. There’s something uniquely fulfilling about not just growing a company but building in an industry you genuinely love. I want to grow this business to be the best and the biggest in the space, setting a new standard for what’s possible. And beyond the industry, I’ve realized: I love the journey itself. The late nights, the wins, the failures that teach you everything—it’s all part of the ride. That’s where character builds and growth happens. So, why am I sharing this? 1️⃣ Your motivation will evolve. What starts you on the path isn’t necessarily what keeps you going. Find the deeper “why.” 2️⃣ Financial gain can’t be the only driver. Once you’ve “made it,” you need something more—a purpose, a passion, or a love for building. 3️⃣ Fall in love with the journey. The ups, downs, and grind make the destination worth it. 4️⃣ Passion for your industry matters. Loving the work makes even the hardest days feel worthwhile. So, what drives you?

Transitioning from a corporate executive to an entrepreneur was one of the most pivotal decisions of my life. For years, I thrived in the corporate world, holding key leadership roles, leading successful teams, and achieving remarkable milestones. Yet, despite all my professional successes, I felt a persistent, inner nudge towards something more personal and fulfilling. Evaluating my readiness for this entrepreneurial journey was both an exciting and daunting process. It wasn't just about leaving behind the security of a steady paycheck; it was about truly understanding if I had what it took to build something from the ground up. Here are three simple indicators I discovered along the way that assured me entrepreneurship was in my DNA: 1) Passion for Problem-Solving: In my corporate roles, I always found myself drawn to challenges that required innovative solutions. Whether it was streamlining a process, launching a new initiative, or turning around a struggling team, I thrived on solving problems. This passion was a clear sign that I had the mindset of an entrepreneur, someone who sees obstacles as opportunities. 2) Desire for Autonomy: Despite the perks of corporate life—generous bonuses, stock options, and executive perks—I often craved more control over my work and decisions. I wanted to create and implement ideas without the constraints of corporate bureaucracy. This longing for autonomy was a strong indicator that I was ready to take charge of my own destiny. 3) Drive to Make a Lasting Impact: My corporate achievements were gratifying, but I yearned to create something that reflected my values and could leave a lasting impact. I wanted to build a legacy that went beyond quarterly profits and performance reviews. This deep-seated drive to make a meaningful difference was the final affirmation that I was ready to embark on my entrepreneurial journey. With these indicators in mind, I took a leap of faith. I meticulously planned my transition, seeking advice from mentors, conducting thorough market research, and ensuring I had a solid financial foundation. The journey wasn't easy—there were moments of doubt and fear—but the alignment of my passions, desire for autonomy, and drive to make an impact kept me motivated and focused. Today, as the CEO and founder of my own venture, I can confidently say that evaluating my readiness was the most crucial step in my journey. It allowed me to enter entrepreneurship with clarity, confidence, and a sense of purpose. If you're feeling that same nudge and wondering if entrepreneurship is your path, I invite you to join our masterclass, "From Corporate to First-Time Entrepreneur." We'll explore these indicators in-depth and help you determine if you're ready to take the leap towards crafting your own legacy. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eCA2V8Aj