From [Previous Industry] to Tech Founder: What’s the hardest part of your pivot?

Many of us enter tech with years of experience in another field, bringing valuable skills to the pivot. But that transition is rarely smooth or easy. Speaking to other founders who have made a tech pivot has been tremendously valuable.

I come from the entertainment and dating space, mostly working B2C as a service provider. The shift to a B2B SaaS start-up meant changing my approach to business development and adapting my marketing know-how to a very different audience and new clientele (brands/employers). The hardest part is realizing that some of my skills aren’t transferable 1:1, so I have to adapt my B2C go-to strategies for B2B. It’s a different animal.

For example, in B2C, articulating the problem and helping your customer see themselves in your solution requires a different skill. It’s about meeting your customer emotionally and connecting with their desired outcome, which is very different from B2B. With B2B, you’re building longer-term relationships and discussing ROI. It’s less emotional and more about efficiency. The pain points are different, but in many respects the conversation is the same. “I can help you, and here’s how.”

What learnings, challenges, or obstacles have you had to overcome to succeed in tech? What advice do you have for newcomers launching a product or service in this space?