I Started a New Business. It Didn't Go Well...

I hope you enjoyed this video, was tough to make 😆what did you guys think?

Thank you for having me on and facing this in a transparent and productive way!

Posting a video about a product gone wrong and being completely honest about it is a very respectable move 👍

Show me a man who hasn't failed, and I'll show you a man who has never tried. It takes a lot of courage for someone to share their own mistakes, and I really appreciate you doing that as many others can learn from your experience. Thanks Ali.

I appreciate you confronting this in a very objective and open way, so that we all can learn from it. Coincidently I’m launching my own keyboard, and I’ve felt similar things. Thanks for sharing your unique insights and lessons. Wishing you the best Ali!

I am not interested in tech whatsoever but this was really refreshing. Everyone who tried to start a business knows you will fail and fail repeatedly and its very discouraging to see people on social media who only show their highlights and success. And if it makes you feel any better, I really like the design of that keyboard lol.

Gained a lot of respect for you from this video. It takes a lot of humility to put something like this out.

Thanks for sharing! The fact that you show what lessons you have learned, and the fact that not everything is so smooth... this is worth a lot in the YT space!

Failing this early means you learn quicker and win faster. Good luck with your next products!

The first time a friend mentioned your channel to me was somewhere around 2019, 2020 — before COVID. So longitudinally, seeing your rise to success on YouTube and in business has been something I’ve followed for many years. But it’s videos like this that give the feeling of “ah, that’s why I remember subscribing to Ali.” Not for being the #1 most followed productivity guru, or very successful in online business, or even for the fellow doctor status…but for just being a dude trying to do his best to create something cool, on an uncertain journey. That’s what I relate to the most, and also learning the most vicariously from. So the video is much appreciated 🙏

Ali , my first comment ever on your channel and reason is: I got so much from your honesty, your humility and your introspection ( almost more then the countless other videos of yours that I watched ). We often look at people from the out thinking that they take action and they win without seeing some of the struggles they also have in the process. As a young entrepreneur myself this helped me more than you could ever imagine. Thanks for the share Regards Thomas

As recession fears mount on Wall Street and inflation remains well above the Fed's 2% target, some of the top commentators in markets, business, and economics have been sounding off on just how bad they think the next downturn might be — and how far stocks may have to fall. I need ideas and advice on what investments to make to set myself up for retirement, my goal is to have a portfolio of at least $850k at the age of 60.

The humility in this video is refreshing

Product strategist here. Enthusiast communities can often start holding products to very weird, seemingly arbitrary and constantly evolving standards. Mechanical keyboard enthusiasts in particular can get really caught up in gasket mounts, or types of lube, or whatever the latest hotness is. HOWEVER, that doesn't absolve your responsibility to understand that market and where your product sits in it. Re: The whole 'is it scummy' discussion... I think it comes from not really having defined who its for, beyond "someone who doesn't know enough to choose something better". You get to define the target market as "They care about and want different things than the enthusiast" with absolutely no problem, but I think half-baking it by saying "Oh that group /isn't/ the market" is probably unhelpful as it's basically just saying "If you don't like it, you're not the market". The MKB enthusiast /loves/ value-for-money and spec-sheet comparisons, so will interpret "I can get these specs/materials elsewhere for less" as "You're ripping people off because you're famous", and will get righteously indignant about that feeling. Saying "You're not the market then" will just come off like saying "You're not dumb enough to fall for it, but someone else will". It's tricky with an early product/company to carve out a meaningful proposition (especially in something that can feel as commoditised as MKBs), but I'd encourage you to really think about who the user really is, who could know about every other competitor on the market and still pick yours. That I think will give you a clearer idea of a path forward.

Hey Ali! Been following you for a long time since you were a medical doctor but never commented. However, this transparent and candid video of you sharing your side of the story is one I need to comment. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, being transparent, and not belittling your critics. Your resilience to push forward despite so many challenges is admirable as most of us would've just folded. I totally agree with the key-man risk part of the business. All the best in Lightmode!

The first step to achieving wealth is figuring out your goals and risk tolerance. Either on your own or with the help of a financial planner. And by following through with an intelligent plan, you will gain financial growth over the years and enjoy the benefits of growing your money.

As one of those 206, I love this video. Ali, you're not scummy. I bought this keyboard because you made it. I have a few others - including a Keycron - and I wanted another type of switch. So I was excited when you launched the yellow switches. In your previous videos, you frequently review tech products at different price points and features and what works for which person. I like mechanical keyboards but I don't have hundreds and hundreds to spend on them. So yeah, I trusted you. And for me personally, you didn't let me down. I love the keyboard. I also love that you did this video in the first place and that you're vulnerable and open-- that is your brand. That is why people are drawn to you. Thank you for this keyboard. Thank you for this video. Thank you for this channel. Thank you for these feelings that we all have on different scales. This is why viewers stay with you. Not because a product makes profit or doesn't. Hope you have some compassion and pride for yourself today and going forward.

Okay here's my thoughts on this: you tried something you had never done before, something you had no experience with, you did a reasonably good job but it wasn't perfect. You admitted to making mistakes, you responded to criticism in a reasonable way without getting defensive, despite the fact that you felt embarrassed. Somebody as smart and successful as you, Ali, not only made mistakes but admitted to them. That gives hope to me and to everyone who isn't quite there yet. It's okay to try something new and not be perfect. I'm about halfway through the video so I may have more comments later. Anyway, good job!

oh my thank you for sharing this! I feel so bad for you at the same time I so RESPECT you for putting yourself out there like this - and to show us what actually happens to a lot of business owners, the failures and the outside judgement. No one is immune and this insight helps us to deal with ours. THANK YOU!

Ali, I love your authenticity and transparency...and your courageous vulnerability. You are an inspiration to watch, you just being you. Funny thing, I discovered you while researching keyboards and your video about how to start a YouTube channel led me to "Just get going" with my own. Whatever you do next, just keep being you. You're a light. Lightmode!