For years, people have compared startups, careers, and even personalities to different animals. The cockroach — a favorite among startup founders and VC's like Boost.vc — symbolizes resilience, an ability to survive against all odds. My last company, Micello, was the embodiment of this. We just kept going, somehow never dying (shoutout to my dad for that 401K loan that kept us afloat).

Then came the unicorns, the rare billion-dollar success stories that captured the imagination of venture capitalists. Someone even wrote about elephants — slow-moving but powerful companies built for endurance.

At the Boost Founder Summit last week, one question kept coming up on every panel:
"What’s your spirit animal?"

And I heard everything — wolves, eagles, octopuses, even a jellyfish (not sure what that one meant, but respect).

For me, it’s clearly the penguin. 🐧 😂

Penguins aren’t the fastest, strongest, or flashiest creatures. But they thrive in some of the harshest conditions on earth. They work in tight-knit communities, huddle together for warmth, and take turns leading. They’re adaptable, resilient, and, let’s be honest, kind of fun to watch.

That’s the energy I want in my work, my company, and in how I approach life. Like penguins, I believe in teamwork, adaptability, and making things work no matter the circumstances.

But deep down, I still have the survival instincts of a cockroach. No matter how tough it gets, I’ll fight to keep going.

So maybe the real answer is… I’m a penguin with a cockroach mentality.

Curious what yours might be? Here’s a quick breakdown of common spirit animals — whether for yourself, your career, or your company:

Whether you’re building a company, shaping your career, or just figuring out how you navigate life, your spirit animal says a lot about how you approach challenges.

So — what’s yours? Let me know, I’d love to hear some creative ones!

I Pebble You,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "Decoding Life in Emojis"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"

For years, people have compared startups, careers, and even personalities to different animals. The cockroach — a favorite among startup founders and VC's like Boost.vc — symbolizes resilience, an ability to survive against all odds. My last company, Micello, was the embodiment of this. We just kept going, somehow never dying (shoutout to my dad for that 401K loan that kept us afloat).

Then came the unicorns, the rare billion-dollar success stories that captured the imagination of venture capitalists. Someone even wrote about elephants — slow-moving but powerful companies built for endurance.

At the Boost Founder Summit last week, one question kept coming up on every panel:
"What’s your spirit animal?"

And I heard everything — wolves, eagles, octopuses, even a jellyfish (not sure what that one meant, but respect).

For me, it’s clearly the penguin. 🐧 😂

Penguins aren’t the fastest, strongest, or flashiest creatures. But they thrive in some of the harshest conditions on earth. They work in tight-knit communities, huddle together for warmth, and take turns leading. They’re adaptable, resilient, and, let’s be honest, kind of fun to watch.

That’s the energy I want in my work, my company, and in how I approach life. Like penguins, I believe in teamwork, adaptability, and making things work no matter the circumstances.

But deep down, I still have the survival instincts of a cockroach. No matter how tough it gets, I’ll fight to keep going.

So maybe the real answer is… I’m a penguin with a cockroach mentality.

Curious what yours might be? Here’s a quick breakdown of common spirit animals — whether for yourself, your career, or your company:

Whether you’re building a company, shaping your career, or just figuring out how you navigate life, your spirit animal says a lot about how you approach challenges.

So — what’s yours? Let me know, I’d love to hear some creative ones!

I Pebble You,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "Decoding Life in Emojis"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"