The ‘Messy Middle’ of Startups: Christine Carrillo on Navigating Early-Stage Challenges

In a recent LinkedIn post, Christine Carrillo discusses the often-overlooked difficulties of the early stages of building a startup, particularly the period she terms the ‘messy middle.’ Carrillo highlights that while success attracts attention, it is the challenging, unstable phase that truly tests entrepreneurs.

According to Carrillo, this phase is characterized by significant uncertainty and high-stakes decision-making without clear guidance. She writes:

The hardest part isn’t starting. It’s the messy middle. When your startup is real but nowhere near stable. You’re showing up every day. You’re making high-stakes calls with no map. And you’re scared to lose what you’ve built.

The Loneliness and Doubt of Early Entrepreneurship

Carrillo emphasizes that this period is frequently shrouded in silence, leading founders to feel isolated and to question their capabilities. She points out the detrimental effect of common, yet often unhelpful, advice given to entrepreneurs during these times.

Critiquing Conventional Startup Advice

The post critiques advice such as ‘Work harder,’ ‘Push through,’ and ‘Stop complaining,’ labeling it as potentially damaging. Carrillo argues that these platitudes ignore the complex emotional and psychological toll of building a business from the ground up. Instead, she offers a reframed perspective on the founder’s experience.

Here’s what I wish someone told me: Fear doesn’t mean you’re failing → It means you’re building something that matters.

As Carrillo explains, recognizing fear not as a sign of failure but as an indicator of meaningful endeavor is crucial. She advocates for a shift in understanding the entrepreneurial journey.

Building Resilience Through Community and Realistic Expectations

A core message from Carrillo’s post is the importance of shared experience and realistic expectations. She contends that founders are not meant to navigate these challenges alone and that feeling overwhelmed is a common, not isolating, experience.

You’re not supposed to do this alone → Every founder feels this at some point.

Furthermore, Carrillo challenges the notion that burnout is a prerequisite for success. She suggests that operating in ‘survival mode’ is not a sign of strength but a desperate measure. Carrillo posits that true resilience is forged in the difficult phases, not by succumbing to exhaustion.

You don’t have to burn out to succeed → That’s not strength, that’s survival mode.

Carrillo concludes by encouraging founders to connect and share their experiences to alleviate the loneliness inherent in the ‘messy middle.’ She frames this difficult period as foundational for building true resilience, rather than a sign of being broken.