"First of all, when you start writing, you quickly realize how little you actually know about the topic. In your mind, you might think, “Oh my God, I understand this issue so well.” But then, when you try to put it into words, you find it’s incredibly hard to explain it in a way that others would understand. Writing forces you to clarify your thinking. Do you truly understand something or not? Often, I realize I don’t know as much as I thought, or my understanding isn’t deep enough, so I need to dig further. Another reason I write is because of my role and the life I’ve chosen as a founder, constantly traveling and learning. There’s so much I’ve experienced, and sharing those lessons feels fulfilling, whether people recognize them or not. I find value in getting ideas out of my head. Even if my writing doesn’t get much traction, just being able to phrase things exactly the way I want brings me a sense of accomplishment.” - Viktor Kyosev, Chief of Staff at Docquity" - Viktor Kyosev
"I’ve learned to prioritize external exposure in whatever I do, ensuring I build a network and always have a plan B. I was fortunate that Doquity was our largest customer at Greenhouse. I clearly remember when Doquity’s founder came to us, just starting operations in Indonesia. I connected them with the right people and did everything I could to help. Because I supported them early on, we built a strong, lasting relationship. When I eventually told them I was looking for my next opportunity, the founder’s response was exactly what I needed: “Write your job description. No one else will apply for that role, and it will wait for you. Take as much time as you need.” It was the perfect approach during a time of transition.” - Viktor Kyosev, Chief of Staff at Docquity" - Viktor Kyosev
"If you enjoy the founder journey, no matter what happens, you’ll likely want to be a founder again. The real question is: do you want to do it right away? After months of working yourself to the bone, being underpaid, and living through a high-stress environment, jumping back in immediately isn’t always the best move. As you get older, you start to take on responsibilities like a spouse and kids, and you have to be more deliberate with your decisions. I see many people dive back into startups, but it’s often those in their twenties who think, “What’s the worst that can happen?” And in your twenties, that mindset works—take risks, experiment, and go for it. But as you grow older, the stakes change, and you have to be a bit more cautious with how you approach that next leap.” - Viktor Kyosev, Chief of Staff at Docquity" - Viktor Kyosev
In this episode, Jeremy Au speaks on navigating startup failure, the Greenhouse founder to Docquity chief of staff journey, and Southeast Asia startups integrity risks.
Keywords: Viktor Kyosev, Startup Failure, Greenhouse Founder to Docquity Chief of Staff, Southeast Asia Startups Integrity Risks, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Startup, Failure, Founder Story
