When I started learning about business during my degree, I thought theory would prepare me enough. But the real world has its own rules, and trust me, they’re harsher than any textbook. I’ve seen people in Karachi, Lahore, even small towns, jump into startups full of energy, only to shut down within months. It’s not always because the idea was bad. Most of the time, it’s because of mistakes that could have been avoided.
Let me share the ones I’ve noticed most often.
1. Starting Without a Clear Plan
One of the fastest ways to fail is to start without knowing where you’re going. Many people quit their jobs, take a loan, and open a café or an online store just because “business chal raha hai.” But when you ask them simple questions like “What’s your target market? How much runway do you have? What’s your break-even point?” they go blank.
I learned this myself the hard way. Even a simple, one-page plan saves you. Who are your customers? How will you reach them? What’s your backup if sales don’t come for six months? In Pakistan, costs rise every month, so without planning, you’re basically gambling.
2. Doing It for the Wrong Reasons
I’ve met people who want to “be their own boss” or just “wear the entrepreneur tag.” Honestly, that fades quickly when rent is due, and customers aren’t paying. If money or status is your only motivation, you’ll give up when it gets tough.
The only reason strong enough to sustain you is passion for the problem you’re solving. If you don’t genuinely care, you won’t survive the grind.
3. Trying to Do Everything Alone
There’s this common mindset here: “main sab kuch khud kar lunga.” From making the product to handling accounts, to running ads, everything. But one person can’t be designer, accountant, marketer, and CEO all at once.
I’ve seen people burn out this way. Even I once tried to handle operations, marketing, and customer calls myself. The result? I was exhausted and still not getting results. Sometimes delegating to a freelancer, or even asking a mentor for guidance, saves more money than it costs.
4. Picking the Wrong Partner
A lot of friends start businesses together, dosti mai partnership. But later, when responsibilities clash, or one person works harder than the other, things get ugly. I’ve seen lifelong friendships break over small startups.
If you must have a partner, pick someone who balances your skills. And don’t rush into it. Take time, test working together on small projects, then decide.
5. Not Validating the Idea
This one is very common. Someone builds an app or opens a restaurant without checking if anyone actually wants it. In Pakistan, people often assume: “If I like it, others will like it too.” That’s dangerous.
I once saw a guy launch a burger joint in a street already filled with burger shops. He spent lakhs on branding but closed down in 6 months. Why? Because he never checked if customers needed another burger shop there. Validation is simple, talk to potential customers, ask what problem they face, and test small before going big.
6. Forgetting the Customer
Business is not about what you like, it’s about what customers want. I’ve seen startups spend months perfecting features that nobody asked for. Or cafés designing fancy interiors but ignoring service. In Pakistan especially, customer service makes or breaks you. People remember how you treated them more than your logo or your slogans.
7. Impatience
We live in a “jaldi result chahiye” culture. But business doesn’t work like that. I know people who gave up after three months because sales weren’t happening. They forgot that building trust, especially in our market, takes time. Customers don’t hand over money to new names immediately.
Success comes slowly. If you’re not ready for that patience test, better not start.
8. Fear of Sharing the Idea
Many first-time founders guard their idea like it’s a secret recipe. “What if someone steals it?” But the truth is, execution is what matters. I’ve shared ideas with seniors who gave feedback I would’ve never thought of.
Most people are too busy with their own lives to steal your idea. If you keep it locked in your head, it will never grow.
9. Poor Money Management
One of the biggest killers of Pakistani startups is cash flow. I’ve seen people spend on a fancy office in Gulberg or DHA, or waste on big marketing campaigns, without securing basic survival. Then, within months, they’re short on rent and salaries.
A tip I always follow now: cut costs in the beginning. No need for the biggest office, or too many employees. Save your money for the tough days, because they will come.
10. Hiring Too Soon or Hiring Friends
I’ve seen founders hire full teams before even securing customers. Or they bring in friends just because they’re friends, not because they’re skilled. Both usually backfire.
Start small. Hire only when you absolutely need someone, and choose based on skills, not relationships.
11. Overcomplicating the Product
Perfectionism is another trap. I know people who delayed launching for years because they kept “fixing one last thing.” Business is about getting your product out, then improving based on customer feedback. If you wait for perfect, the market will move on without you.
12. Expanding Too Quickly
When sales finally pick up, some entrepreneurs rush to open new branches or launch new products. But quick expansion can drain resources faster than growth. I’ve seen shops that did well in one city collapse after trying to open in two more.
Grow slowly, test step by step, and expand when your foundation is strong.
Final Thoughts
Starting a business in Pakistan isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible either. Most failures aren’t because of the market, they’re because of avoidable mistakes. If you plan realistically, stay patient, listen to your customers, and manage money wisely, your chances of survival go up a lot.
And the most important thing I’ve learned? Don’t romanticize entrepreneurship. It’s tough, it’s messy, and it takes time. But if you avoid these mistakes, you’ll at least be fighting on the right side of the battle.
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