This is my story. I spent 6 months contemplating whether I should share my story, and today I've decided to share it with you.  

The Journey of Rationale

Where I Started and Got Good at It

Three years ago, I was deeply embedded in the corporate world at a major tech company. I knew the rules of the game well - how to deliver results, navigate the system, and climb the ladder. Over four years, I received four promotions, and my compensation multiplied several times over.

My role constantly evolved, and looking back, it was truly an exhilarating journey. I was involved in numerous diverse projects - some fascinating, others intense. I remember:

• Nights discussing product strategies at 3 AM
• Preparing systems for massive traffic spikes
• Dealing with an unexpected outage caused by rats chewing through power lines

Eventually, I found myself leading an engineering team of over 100 people. My calendar was perpetually full, and those early days of pure passion became increasingly rare.

The Fast Growth

During my tenure, the company experienced phenomenal growth, with its valuation increasing nearly 20-fold. Even today, that remains an impressive return on investment. I felt fulfilled then, convinced my work was making a significant impact.

The Turning Point

But everything changed when I was struck by a singular thought: I wanted to create my own product.

Once this idea took root, there was no turning back. I left my position, knowing I was embarking on a journey of self-discovery. I wanted to build something I could truly believe in.

Then I was back to Square One, making much much less money. I even put my own money in, with no fund raising.

 

The Journey of Uncertainty

The First Failure: A Story of Learning

A year ago, I experienced a failed venture with a co-founder. We spent eight months building a product, pouring everything into it. I lived an almost monastic life - giving myself just 10 minutes for each meal, spending the rest of my time locked away, working.

We invested significant time and personal savings, but the returns never materialized. Despite generating some revenue, it fell far short of our investment. Eventually, my co-founder, pressured by financial realities, returned to a 9-5 job. It was a profound experience - we had been so confident, but that chapter was now closed.

The Courage to Begin Again

I've since begun a new journey. I understand why I chose this path, and I do not like giving up.

In this world, there are only two types of products:

• Good ones
• Bad ones

I know the feeling of a good product intimately. While today's prevailing methodology emphasizes rapid iteration and fast failure, I cherish the process of thoughtfully crafting products for users.

A Heart of Creation

I've always been passionate about technology and design. Most of my professional life has been spent as an engineer. I excel at building things and quickly mastering new technologies - often being the fastest and most perceptive among colleagues and friends.

So I began again, doing what I do best: building.

A Journey of Healing

Over the past few months, I've built a new note-taking product called Pocnote. I didn't conduct market research - instead, I built it purely based on my yearning for the perfect note-taking solution.

For the past decade, I've used various note-taking products, tried numerous different solutions, but none quite matched what I was looking for. Words have healed me deeply in the past, giving me strength, and I believe this power can be passed on.

My life now stands in stark contrast to my previous role:

• Instead of managing hundred-person teams
• Instead of multi-million dollar projects
• I spend my days thoughtfully crafting features
• Seeking better and more natural interactions
• Iterating based on individual user feedback

My income has dropped significantly, with no guarantee of future success - I've lost all certainty. Yet, this work brings me a profound sense of peace and groundedness that I never experienced in my previous role, despite all its prestige and rewards.

The Product Philosophy

To me, Pocnote isn't just a tool - it's the product I wished I had during countless late-night brainstorming sessions, moments of personal reflection, and times when I needed to transform complex thoughts into clear narratives.

Every feature stems from a real need I've experienced, every design choice reflects my understanding of how people actually think and write.

In today's "move fast and break things" culture, some might call this approach too risky or inefficient. But I believe that creating tools that truly enhance how people think and express themselves requires more than rapid iteration - it demands deep understanding, careful craftsmanship, and patience.

 

Finding Peace Back

Embracing the Unknown

The future is uncertain, as it always is with startup ventures. These past few years, I've been pursuing uncertainty - making a 180-degree turn from my previous career path. That's the nature of startups, and a life of certainty is boring.

I understand that true inner peace and fulfillment:

• Are rare
• Aren't defined by traditional metrics of success
• Lie in the courage to start over
• Come from persistence to keep building
• Emerge from dedication to authentic creation

The Conviction

This isn't just about building a product anymore - it's about a conviction: I still believe today that products built with heart will prevail, that excellent products need time, focus, and dedication to create.

While I'm no longer in late-night strategy meetings at tech giants, I've discovered a different kind of excitement in this solitary journey of creation.

The Present

Today, Pocnote is still a very new and small product. I've always been a minimalist, believing in the power of simplicity. I strive to keep the product simple and plan to maintain this simplicity in the future.

Simple things often bring a magical sense of happiness - truly beautiful things don't confuse people.

Yes, marketing remains a challenge - it was never my strong suit. I'm still learning and iterating to figure it out, trying to prevent my product from facing a silent death.

Occasionally, I miss my previous role at the big company, that sense of security. But every time a new idea or change makes the product more fluid and natural, I regain a powerful sense of peace and fulfillment, reminding me why I chose this path.

 

To Who Pursues Authentic Creation

Perhaps I'll build different products in the future. I don't know what form of success or failure awaits me. But maintaining this purity and persevering, seeing what kind of fruit it bears - that's quite an interesting journey in itself.

To those contemplating a similar journey: it won't be easy, but if you feel that persistent pull toward creating something of your own, know that the experience itself is invaluable.

After all, some paths are worth taking not despite their challenges, but because of them.