I met a couple last week who came into my clinic with that mixture of hope and fear that I’ve seen countless times before. They had been trying to conceive for several years and were now pinning their hopes on IVF. As I sat with them, I realized that the conversation I was about to have would be both difficult and crucial. I needed to dispel the myths they’d heard from well-meaning friends and family, and present the hard truths about IVF. These truths aren’t meant to discourage but to prepare — much like the conversations I often have with startup founders who are eager to dive into entrepreneurship.
Both IVF patients and startup founders come to me seeking success in their respective endeavors. Yet, what they often need most isn’t reassurance but a candid discussion about the challenges they will face. It’s a conversation about expectations, realities, and the resilience required to navigate a path filled with uncertainty.
One of the first things I tell my IVF patients is that success isn’t guaranteed. In the world of fertility treatments, just as in the world of startups, there are no certainties. The success of an IVF cycle depends on a multitude of factors — age, health, and sometimes sheer luck. Similarly, a startup’s success can hinge on market conditions, timing, and execution. Yet, many founders, like hopeful parents, walk in with the expectation that their efforts will inevitably lead to success. It’s crucial to acknowledge that while IVF can significantly improve the chances of conception, and a solid business plan can enhance the likelihood of success, neither can promise a guaranteed outcome.
In both domains, the notion of control is often an illusion. I see patients meticulously following protocols, just as I see founders meticulously executing their business strategies. Yet, both must grapple with variables outside their control. For IVF patients, it’s the biological response to treatment; for founders, it’s market dynamics and consumer behavior. This is where the real test lies — in accepting the unpredictability and yet persisting. I’ve written about this strength in uncertainty before, and it’s a lesson worth reiterating.
Another hard truth I share with my patients is about the emotional toll of the journey. IVF is not just physically demanding; it’s emotionally exhausting. The cycle of hope and disappointment can be grueling. I’ve seen the same emotional rollercoaster in the startup world. Founders pour their hearts into their ventures, often facing rejection from investors and setbacks in development. It’s vital to prepare for these emotional highs and lows and to have a support system in place. This emotional resilience is a trait I’ve come to admire in both my patients and the founders I back.
I also caution against the myths that surround both fields. In IVF, myths abound — from the belief that it always results in twins to the misconception that it’s only for older women. These myths can create unrealistic expectations and unnecessary stress. In the startup world, myths are equally pervasive. The idea that a good product will sell itself or that venture capital is the only path to success are just a couple of misconceptions that can lead founders astray. It’s critical to approach both IVF and entrepreneurship with a clear understanding based on facts rather than folklore.
What I find most inspiring, however, is the perseverance I witness. Despite the challenges, both my patients and the founders I mentor demonstrate remarkable tenacity. I’ve seen couples undergo multiple IVF cycles, driven by the hope of holding their child. Similarly, I’ve seen founders pivot their business models multiple times, driven by the vision of their startup succeeding. This determination is a shared virtue that fuels progress in both personal and professional realms.
In my practice, I’ve learned that honesty is the greatest service I can offer — to my patients and to the founders I invest in. It’s why I believe in telling the hard truths about IVF, and why I advocate for founders to embrace failure as a learning opportunity. It’s about preparing them for the journey, equipping them with the resilience to weather the storms, and encouraging them to keep moving forward, even when the odds seem stacked against them.
So, to my IVF patients and the founders in my portfolio, I say this: Embrace the journey with all its unpredictability and challenges. The road may be long and fraught with obstacles, but it’s also a path of growth, learning, and, ultimately, profound fulfillment.