Introduction
Yes, I lost ₹50,00,000. It stings to write that, but it also shaped who I am today. Most people only talk about wins — I’m here to share the losses too. Because that’s where the real growth happens.
This post is about how I made that money, how I lost it, and more importantly — what I learned.
And how that journey ties into the birth, breakdown, and rebirth of my company: 3Co’s Innovative.
The Build-Up: When Everything Felt Right
Back in [insert year], I was riding high. I had closed a few good client deals, saved up some cash, and had momentum on my side.
We started 3Co’s Innovative like most young dreamers do — with big ideas, no money, and unlimited energy.
Three close college friends. One terrace. One vision: to build a tech company that solved real business problems through design, automation, and innovation.
“Our first boardroom was the open sky. Our first investment was belief.”
I decided to go big:
- ✅ Rented a fancy office
- ✅ Hired a team before confirming stable revenue
- ✅ Took on projects I wasn’t fully ready for
- ✅ Invested in software, tools, and branding without testing first
- ✅ Trusted people who sold me “big dreams” but delivered nothing
We landed small projects, created beautiful designs, learned to work with clients, and slowly built momentum. It wasn’t easy, but it was magical. Every rupee earned felt like a trophy.
Late nights. Pizza on credit. Client calls on the terrace. We were building something real — from scratch.
The Emotional Cost: Greed and Blind Trust
Here’s one part I rarely talk about — but it hurts the most.
Some of my close friends blindly invested in me, not because of a plan or a pitch, but because of hype. I was doing well at the time, and in the excitement, they saw potential returns — fast and easy. They trusted me, and I let them down.
But the truth is — we were all being greedy.
“Greed is loud, discipline is silent. Only one leads to real success.”
I didn’t know how to manage other people’s money. I wasn’t ready. And they weren’t asking the right questions either. We all paid the price.
Where It All Went Wrong
Let’s break it down brutally:
- Poor Financial Planning
- Ego-Based Decisions
- Wrong People, Wrong Roles
- Overpromising to Clients
- No Mentorship
- Greedy Partnerships Without Clarity or Structure ← Most dangerous
One of my partners — someone I called a friend — started making silent moves to take control. Hidden conversations. Unilateral decisions. Projects routed without team alignment.
The bond that once built 3Co’s began to break under the weight of ego and greed.
“The first betrayal in business isn’t legal — it’s emotional.”
Eventually, the trust collapsed. The energy shifted from building to battling. And suddenly, what was once our dream — turned into a deadlock.
What We Lost
Not just money — though lakhs got stuck in incomplete projects, hardware, and broken operations.
We lost momentum, motivation, and brotherhood.
We didn’t shut down, but we might as well have. No progress. No growth. Just silence.
The Rebirth: Starting Alone
It took time. Reflection. Healing.
Eventually, I made the decision: If no one’s left to build this — I’ll do it alone.
I restructured 3Co’s. Reimagined the vision. Rebuilt a team. Re-engaged old clients. Started taking full responsibility — financially, emotionally, operationally.
And brick by brick — 3Co’s came back to life.
What I Learned (The Hard Way)
“Losing 50 lakhs was a painful tuition fee. But it bought me clarity, humility, and resilience.”
Don’t chase vanity — focus on product, profit, and people.
Start lean. Scale when ready. Hire for roles, not relationships. Say no to misfit clients — even if you’re broke.
Cash flow > profit. Always. Document everything. Your team is your strength — but blind money is not a blessing.
Friendship is not a substitute for clarity. Set roles, terms, and expectations from Day 1.
Greed is silent until it explodes everything. Watch closely when things start going too well.
You don’t need 3 people to build — you need the right one.
Everything can be rebuilt — except trust.
Mindset Shift: From Fantasy to Foundation
Before this failure, I was building castles in the air. After this failure, I started laying bricks — systems, strategy, sustainability.
I became more careful with decisions, more obsessed with value, and more willing to say “I don’t know.”
Where We’re Going Now
Today, I lead 3Co’s Innovative with a leaner team, stronger operations, and clearer vision.
We offer:
- Web & mobile app development
- AI automation solutions
- Branding, UI/UX, and digital marketing
- WhatsApp bots, real estate systems, IoT prototypes
We’re working with new clients, better systems, and most importantly — with lessons written in scars, not slides.
Final Note
Would I go back and avoid the 50 lakh loss? Honestly, no. Because without it, I’d still be pretending.
If you’ve lost money in business — you’re not alone. If your friends have lost money with you — take responsibility, own it, and learn.
This isn’t a story of failure. This is a story of filtering, falling, and fighting back.
3Co’s was born in friendship, tested by betrayal, and now led with fire.
Sometimes your real journey starts after the people who don’t belong walk away.
— Abdulkarim Founder, 3Co’s Innovative