Burnout, Perseverance & Success. The Life of a Serial Entrepreneur ft. Kunal Bhusare
Entrepreneurship is not a linear path. It’s messy, filled with highs and lows, risks and rewards, and moments where everything feels like it’s falling apart. But for Kunal Bhusare, the founder of Kiki Prep, this journey is all about learning, growing, and bouncing back—no matter how many failures or setbacks come his way.
Kunal’s passion for entrepreneurship and education has been the driving force behind his journey. As the founder of an AI-powered WhatsApp application that helps high school students prepare for their HSC exams – starting with Mathematics, Kunal’s road to success wasn’t a straight line. In fact, Kiki Prep is his 11th product, a testament to his resilience and relentless pursuit of solutions that matter. But as with any entrepreneur, the road to success was paved with personal struggles, deep introspection, and a commitment to learning from failure.
The Early Days:
Passion Meets Opportunity
Kunal’s entrepreneurial spirit began 12 years ago when he started his first business. Over the years, he explored various ventures, constantly searching for the idea that would stick. Kiki Prep, his 11th product, was born from two of his biggest passions: entrepreneurship and education.
“Education is something that I hold very dear to me, so Kiki Prep was a no-brainer,” Kunal explains.
However, no matter how clear his vision was, the journey of building Kiki Prep wasn’t without its challenges. For Kunal, like many entrepreneurs, the hardest part wasn’t finding the idea—it was bringing that idea to life, while learning the difficult lessons along the way.
The Struggles:
Facing Rejection and Burnout
Being an entrepreneur is thrilling, but it’s also tough. The constant pressure of creating something new, getting it right, and facing setbacks can feel overwhelming. For Kunal, one of the most challenging aspects of his journey was dealing with failure and rejection.
“I obviously do have financial motivation to keep pursuing my startup idea. But when things don’t go the way you want, when people don’t respond the way you expect them to, it can be depressing. You need time to process these rejections, and sometimes you don’t even want to do anything,” he shares.
This moment of vulnerability is something Kunal has learned to navigate over time. He’s come to realise that failure is part of the journey and that success doesn’t come without its fair share of hardship.
“I do take a pause, make sure I’m motivated enough to come back, and keep going on the journey—even if it’s not with the same product. The rejections gradually start stinging less.”
But failure wasn’t the only hurdle Kunal faced. In 2019, he had to close down a business, which left him exhausted and burned out. The recovery process was long. “It took me six months to fully recover from the burnout. I slept a lot, got counseling, and received a lot of help from my friends,” Kunal says. This period taught him one of his most important lessons: the need to take care of his mental health.
“The second biggest lesson I learned at Ignition was the importance of mental health for entrepreneurs,” he reflects, crediting the Ignition program for helping him focus on self-care and well-being. Kunal’s time in the Ignition program at Launch Pad emphasised the need to balance ambition with mental health, an approach that many entrepreneurs overlook until it’s too late.
The Turning Point:
Finding Guidance at Launch Pad
Kunal’s story took a turn for the better when he became involved with Launch Pad, Western Sydney University’s technology business incubator. Initially, Kunal came to Launch Pad in search of a co-working space post-COVID lockdown. But it didn’t take long for him to realise that Launch Pad offered more than just a desk and a chair—it provided mentorship, community, and crucial tools to move his business forward.
“I just loved being here. I find myself being more productive and creative when I’m surrounded by like-minded people. The team also creates such a collaborative environment, and there’s always someone for assistance or to simply bounce ideas off,” Kunal says.
It was through Launch Pad’s Ignition Startup Accelerator that Kunal learned the importance of validating a problem before jumping to build a solution—an insight that would dramatically change his approach to entrepreneurship.
“The Ignition program has really instilled in me the importance of validating a problem before jumping in to build a solution. I used to build solutions without even getting a deeper understanding of the problem. Now, I make sure to do more research and speak more to my potential customers,” Kunal explains.
This shift in mindset—from building a product to understanding the problem deeply—was transformative for Kunal and Kiki Prep. It wasn’t just about creating something cool; it was about creating something that actually solved a real problem for his target audience: high school students preparing for the HSC exams.
The Road to Growth:
Building Connections and Finding His Voice
Another key lesson Kunal learned through the Ignition program was the importance of building networks and personal branding.
“My biggest hurdle was building my networks in Australia. I moved here six or seven years ago, and COVID-19 made that even harder. But I learned that the more you speak and engage with the ecosystem, the more people start to know you, refer you, and make introductions.”
This insight was invaluable. Kunal began to lean into opportunities to speak at events, build his personal brand, and connect with other founders and potential customers. As he gained confidence in his voice, he also became more comfortable with pitching his ideas.
“My advice to founders who are having a hard time pitching their ideas is that practice makes it much easier. I always say yes to any opportunity to speak. The more you do it, the more comfortable you get. I focus on the first minute or two of my pitch, as that’s when I need to get the most important information across. Once I’ve hooked the audience, I find it easier to engage with them.”
Looking Ahead:
The Future of Kiki Prep
Now, as Kunal looks to the future, he’s excited about what’s next for Kiki Prep. His goal is to expand the platform to include chemistry and biology by the end of the year and to find his product-market fit. While he isn’t overly concerned about revenue at the moment, he has clear milestones defined and is determined to build something that truly makes a difference for students.
“I’m not too focused on revenue right now. But I do have a milestone defined for that, and I plan to focus on it once I find my product-market fit.”
For Kunal, the entrepreneurial journey isn’t just about building a successful business—it’s about creating something that aligns with his values, adds meaning to his life, and ultimately, helps others.
What You Can Take Away from Kunal’s Story
Kunal’s story is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship is about resilience, learning, and growing through challenges. It’s about finding your purpose, trusting the process, and giving yourself the grace to stumble, fall, and get back up again.
For aspiring founders, Kunal’s journey offers a few key takeaways:
1
Validate before you build
Deeply understanding the problem is key to building a solution that actually works.
2
Network and build your personal brand
The more you engage with others, the more opportunities will come your way.
3
Mental health matters
Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is just as important as working hard on your business.
4
Embrace failure and rejection
They are part of the journey. With time, they sting less, and you become stronger.
At Ignition, Launch Pad accelerates YOU as well as your business. We provide support at each step of your growth journey, empowering you to become a resilient founder.