Sahil Lavingia built Gumroad in a weekend. At 19, the eCommerce entrepreneur was on top of the world. Within a few months, he raised $1 million from a who’s who of investors: Naval, Max Levchin, Accel, and First Round. Soon after, Lavingia raised capital from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. In total, he raised $8.1 million. In a now-famous essay on his journey from venture-backed founder to boot strapped entrepreneur, he shares a bit about his journey. There was a rise, the fall, and a continued return.