Tin Van is no stranger to the daunting, uncertain road of entrepreneurship. As the founder of What A Startup, Tin Van brings a refreshingly honest and grounded perspective to the world of startups one that many aspiring entrepreneurs desperately need to hear.
Tin Van’s recent reflection on LinkedIn is not just another motivational soundbite. It’s a candid glimpse into what real beginnings look like. No filters. No exaggeration. Just the raw, unpolished truth: every founder starts as a beginner. Even icons like Zuckerberg, Musk, and Bezos weren’t born with a roadmap. And just like them, Tin Van began with nothing but curiosity, courage, and an idea.
At just 18, Tin Van stepped into the world of startups without any of the so-called “essentials.” No experience in product building. No understanding of social media strategy. Not even a well-structured cold email to send. But what Tin Van did have was the grit to learn step by step, mistake by mistake.
And that’s where the heart of Tin Van’s message lies. Too often, people wait to feel “ready” to have the perfect plan, the perfect skills, or the perfect timing. But Tin Van didn’t wait. She started messy, started unsure, and started anyway. That decision didn’t just define her journey it shaped it.
Tin Van reminds us that entrepreneurship isn’t about being the smartest in the room. It’s about being brave enough to show up, even when you feel like an imposter. Her words carry the quiet confidence of someone who knows what it’s like to feel unqualified, to doubt every move, and to fail forward. And yet, Tin Van kept going.
There’s something powerful in watching someone grow publicly and truthfully. Tin Van isn’t trying to sell a shortcut or promise overnight success. She’s offering a mirror for all those who feel like they don’t belong in the startup space. If you’re overwhelmed, confused, or scared that’s normal. That means you’re walking the same path Tin Van once walked.
What sets Tin Van apart is her belief in the process. The belief that learning happens through doing, that confidence is built by action, and that the only real difference between success and stagnation is the willingness to begin.
Tin Van’s journey is still unfolding, but her voice already carries the weight of someone who’s fought through the noise. For every beginner out there doubting themselves, Tin Van has a simple but profound message: keep building, keep learning, and above all, keep going.
In a world obsessed with perfection, Tin Van stands as a reminder that imperfect action is far more powerful than perfect hesitation. And that may be the most inspiring thing of all.
