Ask HN: My company has been acquired and I'm kicked out. What should I do now?

This was around 3 years ago. Things are much better now.

Some context: not all startups are financed with external investments; some happen to run from founders' personal savings and debt. I consider myself, as an ex-CEO, to be fully responsible for the failure, but it doesn't make myself a failure. I lived and learned through the experience.

It seems like HN is trying to tell you something:

http://i.imgur.com/5VriS9I.png

Hi!

What a ride you've been on!

I read your post and two things jumped out that I would like to address.

#1: You are exhausted

Rightly so! Building a company, keeping it alive, and selling it is exhausting in the best of circumstances. You do need a break. But please, don't do "nothing". Don't go back to work. Don't start another company just yet. But don't sit on a couch with a beer in your hand either.

Travel, exercise, pick up a new sport or hobby, perhaps learn how to play chess well. Keep your mind and body occupied in a productive and positive way. The exhaustion and built up tension will go away.

#2: You're not good at anything and feel like a failure

How wrong you are! You are not a failure. You have super-valuable skills, but just don't know how to name them and sell them.

You attempted two experiments that did not pan out. You provided jobs for people. You even managed to have a small albeit fruitful exit in your second venture. Wow!

Sorry to hear it did not pan out the way you've hoped. That happens more often than not.

Your skills: management & leadership, plus whatever hard skills you have.

Your future:

If you are feeling restless and want a job now, look for positions in companies that match your skills. Middle management in big firms. Upper management in small firms. Something that fits with your area of expertise and something you enjoy doing. It may be sales, marketing, or tech. Your experience in leadership and management that you acquired while running your firms, coupled with any amount of hard skills is a very marketable skill.

On the other hand, if you have already founded two companies, my crystal ball tells me you will go on to start a third. Don't do it now to fill a void. Do it when your gut tells you its time and your mind proposes a viable idea. This may be after six months of learning judo, or after a two year stint at a big corporation. Entrepreneurship is a trait, and it seems you have it in you.

Best of luck!

I'm thirding this here, I'm about the same age, worked in a bunch of different things and technologies, helped startups create their product from ground zero, been to startup events and talks with investors and now I've accomplished my dream of being able to live abroad, out of my home country.

And even then I've not come close to the first hand experience you have now, 7 years driving two companies.

So don't be too harsh on yourself, you're doing very well, way above most of people even in your country.

To get over a similar experience, I moved from a city in an expensive country to a village in a cheap country. The money I got would last me many more years than it would have otherwise, so I had time to relax, get over things and order my thoughts. Worked well for me.