When Reza Satchu, the Harvard Business School lecturer and founder of entrepreneurial incubator NEXT Canada, started his first business, he had no special expertise and few resources. What he did have, he says, was a commitment to his vision—what he calls the “relentless pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled.” That commitment, he argues, is what separates those who succeed in business from those who never manage to get one off the ground.
According to Satchu, good business ideas aren’t particularly rare or special. They’re usually found in everyday frustrations—things that bother people but haven’t yet been solved in a compelling way. The real challenge isn’t generating the great idea; it’s believing in it enough to act.
“The problem comes when people don’t believe in themselves, because they feel sure that other people with much more resources would have had this idea already, and tried it by now, or decided it was ridiculous,” says Satchu in an interview with Exeleon Magazine. “But when those founders made the commitment to their idea, without regard to resources currently controlled, because they had no resources, they created something transformational and unexpected.”
This sense of commitment can overcome what Satchu calls the “expectation gap.” Many entrepreneurs, especially in Canada, he believes, underestimate their ability to create transformative companies. But Satchu stresses that the key is not to wait for the perfect moment or perfect conditions.
“People always want more info before they leap. They can never have enough. You have to accept that there is risk associated with being a founder,” says Satchu.
Business success, he argues, comes from making a commitment to move forward and staying resilient in the face of obstacles. That commitment is what attracts investors, customers, and employees.
“You simply can’t compete with someone who is fully committed,” Satchu says. “Because that’s where the magic happens. When you’re barely surviving as a founder and you’re able to demonstrate that ambition and tenacity, you get people to believe in you. They see it in your eyes, and then when you get your first investor, that’s magic.”
The first investor is usually the hardest to secure, but it’s also the tipping point. When other investors see a founder’s unshakable belief in their idea, combined with support from other reputable backers, they begin to believe. That trust can grow exponentially, opening doors that once seemed impossible to unlock.
Of course, commitment alone isn’t enough. Entrepreneurs must refine their ability to make sound decisions over time so that they can be ready for what comes when it is finally time to commit. Satchu views judgment as a muscle that one should learn to strengthen with practice.
“You must put yourself in situations where you’re making consequential decisions that you’re accountable for,” he explains. “Because ultimately you’ll need to count on your judgment to commit.”
That ability to make hard choices under high-stakes circumstances is what lies behind most successful businesses. Entrepreneurs need to develop the internal confidence to make these choices before the stakes are too high to fail.
For budding entrepreneurs, Satchu’s message is clear: don’t let a lack of resources stop you. Great companies aren’t built by those who wait for the perfect conditions; they’re built by those who put the full strength of their experience and judgment behind their belief in a simple idea.
Starting any business will always be difficult and full of moments of doubt and frustration. But when building on a complete, sincere commitment to a vision, the journey gets smoother, the support gets easier to find, and the true magic of creating something meaningful with immeasurable impact gets closer to reality.