Latest news with #Zibtek
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Software startup founder chased growth with 70-hour weeks until his child's question exposed the main problem with his work-life balance
Source: Business Insider Cache Merrill , founder of the software startup Zibtek, spent years working 70-hour weeks to grow his business. Juggling client demands and late-night deadlines, he believed long hours were necessary to secure a better future for his family. But in the process, his presence at home faded. One evening, a simple question from his child, asking why he no longer joined family dinners, stopped him in his tracks. It made him realise that his work-life balance was out of sync. That moment marked a turning point in both his leadership style and his understanding of what true success really means. The cost of chasing startup success: 70-hour weeks and missed moments Cache Merrill, founder of the software development startup Zibtek , was all-in on building his company. Launched in 2009 while raising three young children, the startup demanded everything he had. He regularly worked 60 to 70 hours a week, waking up before dawn and working late into the night. Client deadlines, meetings, and constant decision-making left him with little time for family. What began as a noble pursuit to secure his children's future slowly created a quiet distance from them. As the company grew, his presence at home diminished. Dinners were missed. Bedtime stories faded. Weekends blurred into workdays. Merrill believed he was doing what was necessary for success until one evening, his child stopped him in his tracks with a simple, heartfelt question: 'Daddy, why don't you eat with us anymore?' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The 5 Books Warren Buffett Recommends You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo That innocent question cut deeper than any business setback. It revealed a truth he could no longer ignore: in chasing professional goals, he had unintentionally become a stranger in his own home. It wasn't criticism, it was clarity. And it marked a turning point in both his life and leadership. Redefining the main meaning of success: From provider to present parent Shaken by that moment, Merrill knew something had to change. He reassessed what success really meant, and realised it had to include being present for his children, not just providing for them. He began setting clear boundaries: logging off in time for dinner, being fully available for bedtime routines, and actively engaging in family life again. It wasn't easy at first, but each small step helped rebuild the emotional closeness he had lost. According to a story first reported by Business Insider India, this shift deeply influenced how Merrill led his company as well. He no longer viewed leadership through the lens of constant availability. Instead, he embraced a healthier, more sustainable style, focusing on outcomes rather than long hours and fostering a workplace culture that prioritised well-being and balance. He started encouraging his team to step away from their desks when needed, avoid overwork, and talk openly about stress. He modelled empathy and emotional intelligence , making it clear that taking care of personal health and relationships was not only acceptable, it was essential. As a result, Zibtek began evolving not just as a business but as a human-centered organisation where people felt truly valued. The main truth about leadership: It starts at home Merrill's journey offers a powerful reminder: true leadership doesn't begin and end in boardrooms; it extends to the dinner table, bedtime routines, and the quiet, everyday moments that often go unnoticed. In a world where 'hustle' is often equated with worth, he learned the hard way that presence is a more lasting measure of success. Today, he continues to lead Zibtek with the same entrepreneurial spirit, but with a renewed sense of balance. He no longer feels pressure to be the first in and the last out. Instead, he strives to be available wherever he's needed most, whether that's in a client meeting or sitting beside his children at dinner. His story challenges the outdated belief that professional success must come at a personal cost. Instead, it shows that by integrating compassion, awareness, and boundaries into leadership, it's possible to thrive in business while also nurturing the relationships that matter most. Also Read: ChatGPT and other AI bots other blocked in this US state as fear grow over mental health risks AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
He worked 70 hours a week building a startup until his child asked a simple question that changed his life and leadership style
The emotional blind spot behind startup success Leadership redefined Why this moment matters in the hustle culture debate When Cache Merrill founded his software development startup Zibtek in 2009, he was already juggling more than most—three young kids aged 1, 4, and 7, and the relentless ambition to scale his business. Like many in the startup world, Merrill quickly got swept into the vortex of 60 to 70-hour work weeks, late-night client emergencies, and a schedule that barely left room for dinner at the it wasn't the pressure from investors or clients that forced him to reassess his routine—it was a simple question from his child: 'Daddy, why don't you eat with us anymore?'In a candid Business Insider article, Merrill opened up about the emotional toll of missing school performances, bedtime routines, and even casual conversations with his children. He admitted that while his spouse was understanding, the disappointment in his kids' eyes cut deeper than any business loss.'The guilt,' Merrill noted, 'is a constant companion.'This reflection echoes a growing conversation around the personal cost of startup culture , particularly in the wake of controversial viral statements like US-based Indian founder Neha Suresh's claim that '80-hour weeks aren't extreme. It's baseline.' While such statements fuel the 'grind till you make it' narrative, founders like Merrill are beginning to question if that hustle is truly worth it—especially when it risks the very relationships that ground Merrill, the turning point wasn't just about being a better dad—it became about being a better leader. "Prioritising family taught me patience, empathy, and clarity,' he reflected, noting that these are now core values he brings into boardrooms and brainstorms gradually began drawing firmer boundaries: turning off his phone during family time, opting for check-ins with his now grown-up children, and striving to delegate more responsibilities within his team. His aim wasn't just a better work-life balance—it was sustainability, both at home and in story arrives at a time when the glorification of overwork is facing increasing pushback. From Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy 's 70-hour work week call to Neha Suresh's now-infamous 14-hour day tweet, the tech industry continues to wrestle with where ambition ends and burnout as neurologist Dr. Sid Warrier recently pointed out on the For a Change podcast, the stress of long hours depends less on the clock and more on the emotional load. 'It's not about work or not work—it's about stress and no stress,' he said, emphasizing that purpose and connection play a vital role in mental resilience Now in his late 40s, Merrill still logs long hours, but with greater intention. His kids, now aged 16 to 23, no longer need bedtime stories—but they do appreciate nightly conversations and the presence of a father who has learned to show up in full.'As they've grown, so have I,' Merrill shared. 'Being fully present—even if just for a few moments—can mean more than being physically around all day.'
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
He worked 70 hours a week building a startup until his child asked a simple question that changed his life and leadership style
iStock Cache Merrill initially prioritized his startup, leading to long hours and strained family relationships. A poignant question from his child prompted him to redefine leadership, emphasizing patience, empathy, and presence. (Representational image: iStock) When Cache Merrill founded his software development startup Zibtek in 2009, he was already juggling more than most—three young kids aged 1, 4, and 7, and the relentless ambition to scale his business. Like many in the startup world, Merrill quickly got swept into the vortex of 60 to 70-hour work weeks, late-night client emergencies, and a schedule that barely left room for dinner at the table. But it wasn't the pressure from investors or clients that forced him to reassess his routine—it was a simple question from his child: 'Daddy, why don't you eat with us anymore?' In a candid Business Insider article, Merrill opened up about the emotional toll of missing school performances, bedtime routines, and even casual conversations with his children. He admitted that while his spouse was understanding, the disappointment in his kids' eyes cut deeper than any business loss. 'The guilt,' Merrill noted, 'is a constant companion.' This reflection echoes a growing conversation around the personal cost of startup culture, particularly in the wake of controversial viral statements like US-based Indian founder Neha Suresh's claim that '80-hour weeks aren't extreme. It's baseline.' While such statements fuel the 'grind till you make it' narrative, founders like Merrill are beginning to question if that hustle is truly worth it—especially when it risks the very relationships that ground them. — Neha_Suresh_M (@Neha_Suresh_M) For Merrill, the turning point wasn't just about being a better dad—it became about being a better leader. "Prioritising family taught me patience, empathy, and clarity,' he reflected, noting that these are now core values he brings into boardrooms and brainstorms alike. He gradually began drawing firmer boundaries: turning off his phone during family time, opting for check-ins with his now grown-up children, and striving to delegate more responsibilities within his team. His aim wasn't just a better work-life balance—it was sustainability, both at home and in business. Merrill's story arrives at a time when the glorification of overwork is facing increasing pushback. From Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's 70-hour work week call to Neha Suresh's now-infamous 14-hour day tweet, the tech industry continues to wrestle with where ambition ends and burnout begins. Yet, as neurologist Dr. Sid Warrier recently pointed out on the For a Change podcast, the stress of long hours depends less on the clock and more on the emotional load. 'It's not about work or not work—it's about stress and no stress,' he said, emphasizing that purpose and connection play a vital role in mental resilience. Now in his late 40s, Merrill still logs long hours, but with greater intention. His kids, now aged 16 to 23, no longer need bedtime stories—but they do appreciate nightly conversations and the presence of a father who has learned to show up in full. 'As they've grown, so have I,' Merrill shared. 'Being fully present—even if just for a few moments—can mean more than being physically around all day.'
