10/15/2024
🚨 Facing the Unexpected: A Cautionary Tale for Fellow Founders 🚨
As a founder, the journey comes with its highs and lows, but nothing prepared me for the setback I’m facing now. 😔
In December 2023, I proudly opened Lotus Flower Om’s first brick-and-mortar at Colony Square. After months of growth, I renewed my lease for another 6 months in June 2024, excited to build on my success. Business was thriving, and I was even offered to extend my lease for a year!
Then, on September 13, 2024, everything changed. 💔
My vehicle was burglarized in the Colony Square parking garage, and my Microsoft Surface tablet—along with external drives containing 8 years of work—was stolen. 😢 These devices held my formulations, strategic plans, financial data, pitch decks, brand identity, product photos/videos, employee files, and more.
I reported the theft to the Atlanta Police Department, but after two weeks of waiting, I had to remotely erase everything to prevent a data breach. 🛑 Frustratingly, Colony Square has no cameras in the garage, except at the entrances, and their response was lackluster.
As entrepreneurs, we push forward. 💪🏾
💡 Here are some key takeaways for fellow founders:
🔐 Backup in the Cloud: Protect your work—cloud storage is essential.
🎯 Spread Out Data Storage: Don’t keep everything in one place.
📝 Keep Hard Copies: Important documents on paper can be a lifesaver.
👀 Check Workspace Security: Confirm security measures are in place.
Recreating 8 years of work has me reconsidering my lease renewal, and I haven’t even replaced my device yet. The entrepreneurial journey is tough, but community support is crucial for rebuilding. 🙏
If you’ve faced similar setbacks or have tips to share, I’d love to hear from you!
