Woman Quits Rs 75 LPA Job To Build Startup, Loses Customers In 30 Days Due To AI | Viral News

Last Updated:September 11, 2026, 19:30 IST

She shared that she does not regret leaving her high-paying job to build her company and said that it takes insane amount, almost delusional belief in oneself, to leave secure job

She shared that her first product became irrelevant due to the ever-evolving AI tools (Image: LinkedIn/@Khyati Thakur)

Leaving a high-paying job to build a startup is a risk many aspiring entreprenuers dream of taking. Khyati Thakur took the same leap, but it came with a setback she perhaps did not anticipate. Her first product became irrelevant almost overnight and she lost every customer in a matter of a month.

Thakur, who holds a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Souther California, had been working in the tech industry with a Rs 75 lakh annual package. She eventually decided to give up the steady income and build something of her own.

“We Lost Every Customer In 30 Days”

The co-founder of Fridayy AI opened up about her entrepreneurial journey in a LinkedIn post. She shared how she was forced to rethink about her startup’s entire business model after its first product was overtaken by rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

“I quit my ₹75 LPA job to build a startup. Our first product, ChatGPT and Google AI made it irrelevant. We lost every customer in 30 days,” she wrote. “It took us 7 months to find a pivot. Another 9 to build something meaningful. Now our runway is thinner than I would like, B2B sales cycles are 3–4 months long, and we’re looking for investors who understand the idea and are ready to back it.”

Fridayy AI now helps small businesses create online stores, product catalogues and marketing content, while also enabling them to sell across marketplaces using AI.

“The Thrill Of Building Something Of Your Own Is Inexplicable”

Despite the uncertainty, Thakur said she did not regret leaving her well-paying job. “I’m not telling you this to scare you,” she said. “I’m telling you because building something takes an unlimited, insane, almost delusional belief in yourself. Everything that can go wrong while you’re building a business, will go wrong. Most days you’ll feel stupid for not choosing a monthly paycheck.”

For her, the experience of building a company of her own has ultimately been worth the uncertainty. She explained, “The thrill of building something of your own is inexplicable. If this ends tomorrow, I’d still be glad I gave it everything. I learnt more than any job could teach me. I built something people’s livelihoods depended on, even if only for a while. Here’s to all the founders. You’re one of a kind.”

Internet Praises Her For Sharing Her Experience Honestly

In no time, her post caught the attention of people on the platform, who praised her for not sugar-coating words and presenting her experience as it is.

“I honestly love that you are not selling this as a dream come true or it is achievable only if one tried. It is hard and will almost be unbelievable if it became a success – and that truly makes you one of a kind. Some failures are more precious than a quick success. Kudos to you!” said a user.

Another commented, “It definitely takes time to build something and if things go unplanned then it’s even more tough, but people like you who keep taking risks and keep fighting with the challenges ultimately build something that stands out.”

“Even if it doesn’t work out you learn something which you can use to build your next product. That’s how it worked for me. What makes a great entreprenous is not the product but the process,” someone else shared.

Disclaimer: This article is based on user-generated content. The claims made in the original post have not been independently verified by News18

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Who is the founder of Fridayy AI who quit her high-paying job to start the company?

Khyati Thakur is the co-founder of Fridayy AI who left her tech industry job, which had a Rs 75 lakh annual package (LPA), to build her own startup.

Why did Fridayy AI lose all of its customers within 30 days of launching its first product?

Fridayy AI lost every customer within 30 days because its first product was made irrelevant almost overnight by rapidly evolving artificial intelligence tools, specifically ChatGPT and Google AI.

How did Fridayy AI pivot its business model after losing its initial customers?

After taking seven months to find a pivot and another nine months to build a new product, Fridayy AI now helps small businesses create online stores, product catalogues, and marketing content, while enabling them to sell across marketplaces using AI.

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