Excerpted from COUNTERINTUITIVE: Unconventional Principles for Success in Life and Business by Naveen Jain, published by Harriman House, an imprint of Pan Macmillan. Copyright © 2026 by Naveen Jain.
In 1995, I was working at Microsoft, one of the most powerful and influential companies in the world. Yet, I felt incomplete. I questioned whether I wanted to be an employee for the rest of my life or if, like the company’s founder Bill Gates, I was meant to be an entrepreneur.
The internet was on the verge of transforming the world, and we were seeing the birth of companies like Netscape, Yahoo, Amazon, Lycos, Infoseek, and Excite. It was an era ripe for bold moves and innovative ideas. I realized that now was the time to start a groundbreaking company and that I needed to take bold actions of my own.
I had moments of doubt. Could I create my own company, or should I stay at Microsoft? I was no longer satisfied with working for someone else. I dreamed of running my own business. I wanted to see what I was truly capable of, even if it meant risking it all. Could I do it on my own? I had to find out.
So, one day I went into my boss’s office and gave my notice. Just like that, I left my cushy Microsoft job. And then, I went home to tell my wife.
