Conviction

The foundation that makes hard paths achievable

A year and a half ago, I turned down a sizable pilot customer to pivot my start-up, Anomaly Labs, out of the Web3 space. It was a hard decision, and to be honest, one I wasn’t sure about at the time.

Afterward, one of our investors sent me this tweet:

The investor was right. I was quick to pivot—and for good reason. Though I’d spent years following Crypto, I’d never built a Web3 product or deeply understood the customer profile. I hadn’t lived through a “Crypto Winter,” so when FTX imploded and the market collapsed, I gave up on Crypto. I lacked conviction.

What followed was humbling. My team and I spent six months exploring different markets and business models, testing ideas that didn’t stick. It was frustrating, but it eventually brought us back to Automotive—the industry where I’d built my previous company. Things started to click. Within a few months, we developed our technology and acquired our first pilot customer. It took time to regain our footing, but this time, there was one critical difference: I had conviction.

Conviction in start-ups isn’t just about believing in your idea; it’s about understanding why it matters and why you’re the right person to solve the problem. It’s the fuel that keeps you going when setbacks hit—when deals fall through, funding feels impossible, or competitors move faster. And it’s contagious. Conviction inspires your team, attracts investors, and reassures customers that you’re committed for the long haul.

Looking back on my time in Web3, it’s clear I lacked that kind of conviction. Sure, I was excited about the potential of blockchain, but I wasn’t immersed in it. I wasn’t living the customer’s pain points or seeing the problems firsthand. So when things got tough, I walked away. It wasn’t just a lack of discipline; it was a lack of alignment. I was chasing a market because it was hot, not because I was convicted.

In contrast, when we pivoted into Automotive, it felt like coming home. I’d spent years in the industry, working alongside the very customers we’re now building for. I understood their frustrations, their priorities, and their language. That familiarity didn’t just give me confidence; it gave me a foundation to build on. And with that foundation came conviction.

Conviction sharpens your focus. In the early days of a start-up, distractions are everywhere—shiny ideas, tangential opportunities, tempting shortcuts. Without conviction, it’s easy to chase everything and accomplish nothing. But when you believe in what you’re doing, you learn to say no. You stay the course, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.

That’s not to say conviction guarantees success. Start-ups are risky, and there are always factors beyond your control. But without conviction, you’re almost guaranteed to fail. When the tough moments come—and they always do—conviction is what keeps you moving forward.

Today, AutoTrainer (rebranded from Anomaly Labs) is thriving in Automotive. The journey from Crypto to where we are now was long and messy, but it was worth it. I’ve learned that conviction isn’t optional in this game; it’s the foundation for everything. Without it, even the best ideas will crumble. With it, you can weather storms, inspire others, and build something that lasts.

Conviction doesn’t make the path easier, but it makes it possible. And in the end, that’s what matters.