Why My Initial Learnings in IVF Made Me a Better Startup Mentor
I was sitting in my clinic last week, listening to a couple share their fears and hopes about starting their IVF journey. As they spoke, I couldn’t help but think about a conversation I had earlier with a young founder. The young entrepreneur was just as anxious about the future of his startup as the couple was about their potential parenthood. This parallel struck me forcefully, and I realized that the lessons I’ve learned in my IVF practice have profoundly shaped my approach to mentoring startups.
When I first started my practice as an IVF specialist, I was armed with medical knowledge, confident that science would guide every decision. But I quickly learned that the path to parenthood is fraught with uncertainties. No matter how much we plan or how advanced our technologies are, the outcome is never guaranteed. The same is true for startups. Founders can have the most brilliant ideas and the most detailed business plans, yet they face a marketplace full of unpredictable variables.
In both domains, the journey begins with hope and a vision. Couples enter my clinic dreaming of a child, much like founders enter the entrepreneurial space with aspirations of transforming an idea into a thriving business. This initial excitement is palpable, but so is the uncertainty. The question then becomes: how do you navigate this uncertainty? What I’ve discovered is that the answer lies not in controlling every variable but in embracing the unpredictability with a blend of guidance and detachment.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of resilience. In IVF, I’ve seen couples endure multiple cycles without success, yet they persist. Their journey is arduous, filled with moments of doubt, but their willingness to adapt and keep pushing forward often leads to eventual success. This tenacity mirrors what I observe in the startup world. A founder’s ability to pivot, to learn from what isn’t working, is often what sets apart the startups that survive from those that don’t. You could read more about this parallel in my piece on The Unexpected Parallel Between Startup Pivots and IVF Treatments.
Guidance in both IVF and startups is about providing a framework rather than dictating a path. In my practice, I guide patients through a maze of options, helping them understand potential outcomes and encouraging them to make informed decisions. Similarly, as an angel investor, I offer founders my perspective and experience but encourage them to find their own way, to make mistakes, and to learn from them. It’s about offering support without stifling autonomy — a delicate balance that requires constant adjustment.
Timing is another crucial factor that IVF has taught me. In IVF, precise timing of medication, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer is critical. A misstep can set the process back significantly. Startups, too, must be acutely aware of timing — when to launch a product, when to seek funding, when to scale. The right move at the wrong time can spell disaster. This is where experience and intuition come into play, and it’s where I try to add value as a mentor.
Reflecting on my experiences, one common misbelief is that success in IVF or startups is only about persistence. While perseverance is crucial, it’s not the whole story. The real magic often lies in the ability to step back, reassess, and sometimes, let go. There’s a danger in becoming too emotionally attached to the outcome. In IVF, this can lead to burnout and despair. In startups, it can lead to poor decision-making and a reluctance to pivot when necessary. This ability to detach, to view the situation with a degree of objectivity, is something I’ve learned to cultivate over the years.
I’ve also noticed a tendency in both fields to focus on the success stories while glossing over the failures. Yet, it’s the failures that often provide the richest learning experiences. In IVF, every unsuccessful cycle teaches something new about the patient’s unique needs and challenges. In startups, every setback is an opportunity to refine the product, to better understand the market, and to strengthen the business model. I explored this notion in a previous post on How Honest Failures in IVF Helped Me Mentor Startups Better.
Ultimately, the parallels between parenting in IVF and mentoring startups have taught me invaluable lessons about the balance of guidance and autonomy. Just as I guide hopeful parents through the intricate journey of IVF, I mentor founders navigating the complex landscape of entrepreneurship. Both require a fine blend of support, patience, and the courage to let go when necessary. The joy in both roles lies in witnessing the fruition of hopes and dreams, whether it’s the birth of a child or the growth of a company.
As I continue to straddle these two worlds, I remain ever grateful for the insights each brings to the other. The journey of IVF and startups is not for the faint-hearted. Both require resilience and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. But for those who are willing to take the risk, the rewards can be profound. There is no greater satisfaction than seeing a couple hold their newborn for the first time or watching a startup grow from a fledgling idea into a successful enterprise.