As artificial intelligence continues to disrupt traditional career paths, more young professionals are stepping away from corporate roles and embracing entrepreneurship. Many Gen Z graduates now dream of becoming their own bosses. However, according to Joe Tsai, success in business demands far more sacrifice than social media makes it appear.
Speaking recently at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, the Alibaba chairman delivered a blunt message to aspiring founders. He warned that early-stage entrepreneurs should not prioritize work-life balance. Instead, they should prepare for relentless commitment and long hours.
“As a startup, you’re not gonna go home very much,” Tsai told students. He emphasized that founders must accept that balance will not define their early journey. Rather than chasing comfort, entrepreneurs should focus on building something meaningful.
However, Tsai argued that the intensity of startup life becomes manageable when founders choose the right team. He advised young innovators to surround themselves with people they would comfortably spend “24/7 with.” In his view, chemistry among cofounders can determine whether a venture survives its toughest phases.
To evaluate potential partners, Tsai offered a simple test. Ask yourself whether you would enjoy spending time with that person outside the office. “Do you wanna go out and have a beer with this person after work?” he said. According to him, personal compatibility often proves as important as technical skill.
Beyond personality, he stressed the importance of complementary expertise. Every strong founding team, he noted, blends diverse strengths. Tsai himself brought financial expertise to Alibaba’s early leadership. He served as chief financial officer for about 14 years starting in 1999. Later, he became executive vice president in 2013 and eventually assumed the role of chairman in 2023.
Moreover, Tsai revealed that he learned critical leadership lessons from fellow cofounder Jack Ma. He described Ma not only as a business partner but also as a mentor who shaped his thinking about team building and company culture. Tsai credited Ma for teaching him how to identify talent and nurture trust within a fast-growing organization.
Importantly, Tsai entered Alibaba as something of an outsider. He was the only one among the company’s 18 cofounders who was not from mainland China. Born in Taiwan and educated at Yale University, he joined the company with a background in law and investment rather than engineering or tech entrepreneurship.
Because of that difference, he chose humility over authority during his early years. Instead of directing others, he listened carefully. He believes that approach remains essential for anyone starting a new role today. Young professionals, he said, must accept that colleagues may be smarter or more experienced in certain areas.
Furthermore, Tsai encouraged job seekers to “find the people first.” Titles and salaries matter, yet mentorship and collaboration matter more in the long run. By aligning with individuals who invest in both personal growth and company success, professionals can build resilient careers even in uncertain markets.
As AI reshapes industries and automation replaces routine jobs, entrepreneurship continues to attract ambitious youth across Africa, Asia, and beyond. Still, Tsai’s message challenges the popular narrative of instant startup glamour. He insists that founders must embrace sacrifice, choose their teams wisely, and cultivate humility from day one.
Ultimately, his advice cuts through the hype: business success does not begin with flexible schedules or trendy office perks. It begins with trust, shared vision, and a team you can stand beside every hour of the day.
For Africa’s rising startup ecosystem, Tsai’s remarks resonate strongly. As innovation hubs expand across Lagos, Nairobi, and Cape Town, founders face the same universal truth. Build with the right people first, and everything else can follow.
