Challenges Faced by Young Entrepreneurs and Steps to Overcome This With a blend of perseverance, passion and business acumen entrepreneurs can not only create value and make a difference in society

By Jai Dhar Gupta

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock.com

Entrepreneurship is a lofty undertaking that can be exceedingly overwhelming. Original ideas, thorough preparations, responsibility, value addition, financial performance, business acumen, competitive edge etc are some quick thoughts that come to one's mind. Entrepreneurship is an all-consuming involvement. Though it's a highly challenging route to take, the sense of fulfilment that one may realize can be manifold. Small miscalculations can result in huge loses and the same time small steps or calculated risks can result in windfalls.

A thorough planning at the onset can make for a good start. If one is aware of the kind of scenarios that can surface, one can anticipate and prepare for them; and handle the initial hiccups even better. Below are a few common challenges that entrepreneurs may face:

Credibility:

Many times young entrepreneurs who may have set up their work recently and may not have a lot of supporting experience for a project that they may be bidding for or initiating. They may end up losing the bids or face failures in the first step of establishing their business.

However, this is a matter of time, once these promoters gain the required experience or highlight their unique offerings on these projects they are able to gain ground and make a mark for them. No doubt this demands a lot of hard work and perseverance.

Financial Issues:

Some startups are self-funded. This may be challenging for many young entrepreneurs. To support there are many venture capitalists that are on the lookout for solid opportunities for investment purposes. They evaluate the business plan and revenue models. When convinced of the authenticity of the business proposition and its soundness, they invest in the startup and support it. Startups can even get business and customers from their recommendations.

Dealing with Stress and Self-Doubt:

Running a business can be a reason for anxiety, stress and self-doubt. The initial years can be marked by intensive struggles which can leave one discouraged and disheartened. As more and more startups proliferate there are counsellors who can guide entrepreneurs on the approach or in terms of business expertise and acumen.

Entrepreneurs can also deal with all this by having realistic plans and expectations at least in the initial stages. They should prepare themselves to actively accept the results while identifying risks and creating plans to handle them.

Stress is natural if you are an Entrepreneur, however, stress needs to be controlled as its impact can lead to other problems like lack of concentration, low energy, indecisiveness, a low motivation which could result in bigger and larger serious issues. Energy and enthusiasm are required to succeed as an entrepreneur, one must engage in exercise, meditation, eating healthy and right, opting for breaks, maintaining a work-life balance etc.

Supportfrom family:

Being an entrepreneur is a full-time involvement it requires a lot of commitment and dedication. It can impact your family and social life. One needs a lot of support and understanding from the family in such scenarios. And at the same time, one must also set healthy boundaries between the two so that there can be a work-life balance. A delegation of work responsibilities to trusted and competent colleagues is another option, which requires an investment in training. Entrepreneurs need to consciously take initiatives to stay connected with friends and spend quality time with family and relatives.

Customers:

Some startups that deal in niche fields or areas where the awareness levels are low one needs to be very passionate and patient; to continuously use innovative means and ways; to educate and convince the audience of the use and purpose of the solutions they sell.

No doubt being an entrepreneur is demanding it can give you sleepless nights. With a blend of perseverance, passion and business acumen entrepreneurs can not only create value and make a difference in society; but also build a roaring business.

Jai Dhar Gupta

Founder, Nirvana Being

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Starting a Business

Why You Don't Need to Be an Expert to Start Your Business

On this episode of "America's Favorite Mom and Pop Shops®," learn how understanding people — and listening to data — helped this entrepreneur with no professional cooking experience open Poppy's, a thriving café in Brooklyn.

Growth Strategies

Hyundai Motor India: Upping the Ante With New Launches

According to Tarun Garg, MD & CEO Designate, by 2030, 80 per cent-plus of Hyundai's portfolio will be SUVs and MPVs

Technology

Thailand & Singapore: The Epicenter Of Data Center Boom in APAC

Both markets will play a crucial role for supporting AI boom for hyperscalers, government and enterprises, with strategic geographic location

News and Trends

Why IITs Produce Some of India's Most Successful Startup Founders

As per industry data, between 2015 and early 2025, India saw 113,360 tech startups being founded. Of these, 7,141 startups, close to 6.3 percent, came from IIT alumni

Leadership

Leaders Aren't Judged on Effort — They're Judged on Their Judgment. Here's How to Sharpen Yours.

The higher you go, the less you know — and the more every call can define your career.