Here’s the thing about being a self-taught anthropologist and entrepreneur

Imagine trying to explain to your family that you’re studying human behaviour while also building a business. “So… you’re people-watching for a living?” Well, kind of, but with more spreadsheets than they’d expect.

My journey to founding CYcrds has been about as conventional as using a fork to comb your hair. No fancy college degree here – just an unhealthy obsession with asking “but why?” about everything until people either find it charming or slowly back away at parties.

You know how some people binge-watch Netflix? I binge-read about market trends and philosophical theories. I know, I know – I’m a real hit at social gatherings(which I stopped attending out of pure boredom).

But hey, this weird cocktail of interests somehow led to CYcrds, so I must be doing something right. Or at least interestingly wrong.

Real talk – building a business has taught me more than any classroom could, mainly because falling on your face repeatedly is a surprisingly effective teaching method. Each “learning opportunity” (that’s corporate speak for “oops”) has added another patch to this weird quilt I call entrepreneurship.

Being self-taught means I’ve had to be my own teacher, student, and occasional therapist. The upside? No student loans. The downside? Try explaining to yourself why you deserve a failing grade. Those mirror conversations get awkward.

Here’s what nobody tells you about being an autodidact entrepreneur: you’ll develop an impressive ability to turn self-doubt into questionable decisions that somehow work out. It’s like failing upwards, but with style.

The best part about not following the traditional path? Nobody can tell you you’re doing it wrong because there’s no manual for what you’re doing. Though sometimes I wish there was – it would’ve saved me from some truly spectacular face-palm moments. (imagine the meme of an MBA dude leaving Google taking off his loafers and going under in a mud “puddle”)

My commitment to lifelong learning isn’t just about staying ahead in business – it’s about maintaining that slightly manic gleam in my eye that makes people say, “Oh, you’re starting another project?” with equal parts concern and curiosity.

For anyone thinking about the self-taught entrepreneurial route, imagine building a plane while flying it, except you’re also writing the manual, which is occasionally on fire. Fun times!

As CYcrds grows, I’m still that same curious kid who asks too many questions—just with better tools and slightly more sophisticated coffee choices (oh, I love Kirsch with whipped cream!)

The journey has taught me that success isn’t about following someone else’s blueprint; it’s about drawing your own map, even if it occasionally looks like it was sketched by a caffeinated squirrel.
Because at the end of the day, entrepreneurship is just organized chaos with a business card, and being self-taught means you get to choose which flavour of chaos suits you best.

May harmony find you (from the chaos within)

Irena Phaedra