Can Student Entrepreneurs Earn Credibility in an Experienced Industry? Here’s How I Did It

I’ll never forget walking into that meeting room for the first time. It was filled with seasoned professionals—leaders who had spent decades in the industry. I could feel the weight of their eyes on me. 

I was young, new, and stepping into a world where “grey hair” often equated to credibility. I didn’t have that. What I did have was an idea, a plan, and the ability to deliver on expectations.

But reality is very different from how we usually plan things. When you’re young, bootstrapping your way into an industry dominated by experience, the challenges can feel overwhelming. Resources are limited, and trust isn’t given freely—it has to be earned.

In this article, I want to share three lessons from those early days that helped me navigate the journey of building Blurgs: how to manage revenue effectively, the power of earning credibility through quality, and why breaking industry stereotypes can be your greatest strength. 

These are the steps I took to go from being “the young guy in the room” to someone the industry trusted.

If you’re a budding entrepreneur, this is for you. Because no matter where you start, success is possible when you focus on what really matters and deliver on it.

Building a Startup from Scratch

When you’re starting out with limited resources, revenue funding is more than a financial decision—it’s a mindset. For me, it meant learning to focus on what mattered most and being comfortable with the discomfort of doing more with less. 

Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t glamorous at all. But it did give me an advantage that no amount of initial funding could replicate: a deeper understanding of every moving part of my business.

One of the hardest lessons I learned early on was that constraints aren’t barriers—they’re boundaries that force you to innovate. When I had to decide where to allocate resources, it was about doing the right things. 

These decisions helped me focus on quality and credibility, laying the groundwork for Blurgs’ reputation.

But there’s another side of working with limited resources that people don’t talk about enough: it builds your intuition as an entrepreneur. That kind of instinct can’t be bought, and it stays with you long after the early days.

For budding entrepreneurs, here’s something to consider: bootstrapping helps build the discipline and focus you’ll need as your business grows. It’s about finding your identity as a leader. 

When I look back at Blurgs’ early days, I realize that the choices I made under pressure shaped not just the company but also the leader I’ve become.

Credibility Through Quality and Product Knowledge

While managing resources taught me resilience, I quickly realized that credibility couldn’t come from effort alone. It had to come from something tangible: delivering quality and knowing my product inside out.

Quality was non-negotiable. Every project was an opportunity to exceed expectations, not just in the results but in how we got there. Attention to detail, meeting deadlines, and staying consistent became our calling card. These were proof that even a newcomer could deliver reliability.

Product knowledge was equally critical. Without decades of experience to rely on, I focused on mastering every detail of what we were building. When clients had questions, I could answer with confidence because I knew the product better than anyone else. That depth of knowledge showed that while I was new, I was prepared.

For budding entrepreneurs, this is the key: credibility isn’t talking a big game—it’s about consistently delivering substance. My motto is to offer more value other than ‘PRs’.

It’s not what you’re thinking,  although PR is a word thrown around a lot lately. 

I don’t need the ‘PR’s because the industry is honestly saturated with these. What people really want is to feel confident about the product. That’s why when you prioritize quality and expertise, trust builds naturally.

For me it’s about showing how the product actually works, and letting decision-makers see that Blurgs is one to walk the talk.

Overcoming Industry Preconceptions: Redefining Expectations

Even with a focus on quality and expertise, I quickly realized another challenge: the preconceptions that came with being young and new in an industry where “grey hair” was often equated with credibility. Walking into those early meetings, I could feel the unspoken doubts: Does he have the experience? Can he handle this? In an industry dominated by seasoned professionals, being a newcomer was an uphill climb.

The question was clear: How do you earn trust when the odds are stacked against you? I focused on what I could control: showing value through preparation, fresh ideas, and results.

Being new means you’re not tied to “the way things have always been done.” It gives you the freedom to challenge conventions and find innovative solutions.

For anyone facing similar challenges, here’s my advice: don’t waste energy trying to fit into the mold of what people expect. Focus on what you can bring to the table—whether that’s fresh ideas, exceptional preparation, or the drive to deliver results. 

Most importantly, have the right people around you. Even MS Dhoni needed the right group of players and staff around him to build a World Cup winning team. People who believe in the vision and mission, especially when the going gets tough. 

It’s the same in our industry. Without guidance, it’s possible to feel like a ship stranded in a storm. But with mentors, advisors, and philanthropists, the journey becomes easier. 

Over time, your work will speak louder than any stereotype.

Setting the Stage

Once you’ve earned trust and established credibility, the real challenge begins: turning an idea into a lasting, scalable business. I always wanted to build the foundation for something that could grow, adapt, and thrive in a complex industry.

Pivotal to that has been constantly wanting to learn about the industry. I’m still learning everyday and given the resources available nowadays, there’s no end to it. 

There’s always something more I can learn that will give me an edge and help me standout in the room. 

But still, in the early days of Blurgs, every decision felt monumental. From defining our vision to navigating the inevitable setbacks, each step was a test of resilience and clarity. 

How do you prioritize when everything feels urgent? 

How do you balance the pursuit of innovation with the need for stability? 

And perhaps most importantly, how do you make decisions today that will shape the future of your business?

These questions are at the heart of the next chapter: the building blocks of a startup. In the next article, I’ll dive into the core elements of creating a startup from scratch—sharing what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons I learned along the way.