Jan Gunash

I’ve started companies before. I’ve lived the founder grind: late nights, early mornings, endless meetings, and the feeling that the world will not wait for you to catch up. I thought I knew what it meant to be busy, to sacrifice, and to stretch every hour to its limit.

Then I became a dad for the first time.

Suddenly, the calculus of time changed completely. Before, my hours were my own. I could decide whether to spend them on building, pitching, or sleeping, and the impact was mostly professional. Now, every hour has a new value. Every hour I spend on work is, in some sense, borrowed from my family. Every hour I dedicate to my child is an investment that cannot be replaced.

It is not just about scheduling. It is about presence. Even when I am physically at work, I think about what I am missing at home: the first laugh, the tiny hand grabbing my finger, the moments that do not make it into photos but will forever live in memory.

Being a founder and being a dad now exist in parallel, but they inform each other. I build companies not just for today or for profit, but for a better future, for the world my child will inherit. I want to be a role model for curiosity, resilience, and integrity. I want to show, by example, what it looks like to work hard while keeping your values intact. I want to be the best man I can be, not just for myself, but for the child watching my every move.

This dual role changes how I define productivity. It is no longer about hours logged or deals closed. It is about quality, focus, and respecting the boundaries that matter most. I have become better at choosing what truly requires my attention. I have learned to say no faster, to delegate more, and to accept that some things will take longer because I cannot and will not borrow too much from time with my family.

Being a founder and a dad is a constant negotiation, a balancing act that stretches every day. It is deeply rewarding. Every moment I spend building a business is shaped by the perspective my child gives me, and every moment with my child is enriched by the discipline and creativity my work requires.

In the end, the best return on investment is not always in equity or growth metrics. Sometimes, it is in the small, irreplaceable moments that make you pause, smile, and remember why you started both journeys in the first place. Sometimes, it is in the hope that by striving to be better each day, you leave a world and an example that your child can look up to.