Startup Originals Team
In a twist of fate, an Indian professional was abruptly dismissed during his 7 a.m. stand-up meeting with a U.S. remote employer. Months later, rather than retreating, he doubled down on his passion project, his startup has now achieved $50,000 in revenue within six months.
The Fateful Morning: Fired During Daily Stand-up
The founder, Harshil Tomar, recounts the morning of March 13, when at 7 a.m. he joined the regular team meeting, offered updates, and even inquired about new features. According to him, his team lead appeared off, and by the end, delivered the line:
“We have to part ways.”
The reason cited was his side focus: Tomar says his employer believed he was devoting too much time to his own startup. Despite pleading for a second chance, the decision was final.
Wrestling with Fear: Choosing the Leap
Shock and doubt followed. At that time, Tomar says his startup was generating only about $1,000 per month. He took roughly 10–15 days to reflect on options: find another job or go all in.
He estimated that he had nine months of runway if he lived frugally. During that period, he and his co-founder made tough choices, his co-founder even waived any salary to help.
Tomar decided to keep his job loss hidden from his parents. He told them he still had his remote job, believing they wouldn’t understand the uncertainty that lay ahead.
From Zero to $50K: The Climb
The journey was anything but smooth. There were stretches with no clients. Over time, however, Tomar says they started landing retainer deals, sponsorships, and brand collaborations.
Within six months, the startup crossed $50,000 in total revenue and reached $10,000 in monthly recurring revenue (MRR). At that point, they began expanding, hiring staff and scaling operations.
Tomar reflects that the ordeal made him “thick-skinned”. Persistence and showing up daily, he says, were the keys.
Public Reaction & Takeaways:
His story, shared on X, quickly resonated with others, his post garnered over 31,000 views. Comments ranged from encouragement to admiration, especially from those facing similar crossroads.
Many saw his journey as a testament to resilience and courage-turning sudden loss into startup success. Tomar himself hopes listeners take it as a signal: leap if you believe in your vision.
