AI startup founder says all his hospitalised mother wanted was to see him trademark his brand name. Netizens react: 'She was sarcastic'

In a bizarre blend of personal crisis and brand promotion, an AI startup founder has unintentionally become a punchline on Reddit’s popular community “LinkedIn Lunatics.” The entrepreneur, who recently transitioned from a secure, high-paying role at a renowned financial institution to building his own company, shared a story that was meant to be touching—but it quickly backfired.

At a time when his aging mother was hospitalized and connected to medical equipment, this startup owner was apparently more focused on obtaining a trademark for his business name than on her well-being. The tale, posted on LinkedIn by the CEO himself, described how his mother, despite being in critical condition, repeatedly inquired about his entrepreneurial journey and suggested—perhaps with irony—that he should secure the legal rights to his brand, Real Talk Studio.

According to the founder’s version, each time he visited her in the hospital, she would supposedly bring up the trademark. Initially, he dismissed her concern, uncertain about whether the brand name would even last. But as days passed, he decided to follow through, viewing the process as a minor financial investment. Eventually, the official certificate for the trademark arrived, validating the ownership of Real Talk Studio. Proud of this symbolic milestone, he called his mother to share the news. She was, he claimed, overjoyed.

However, what the CEO framed as a heartwarming anecdote didn’t resonate the same way with Reddit users. In fact, the response was largely mocking. One Redditor speculated that the mother’s remarks were more likely to be sarcastic than sincere. According to them, the CEO probably imagined a scenario where his hospitalized mother was emotionally invested in the branding of his AI startup. Instead, the user argued, her comments were possibly laced with irony and quiet disappointment—pointing to how he appeared more concerned about paperwork than spending meaningful time with her during her hospitalization.

The story has now become a lightning rod for criticism online, with many users accusing the CEO of exploiting a sensitive family situation to promote himself and his company. The harshest voices suggested that the LinkedIn post was not only tone-deaf but also indicative of the increasingly performative nature of corporate storytelling on professional networks.

Rather than evoking empathy, the tale struck many as self-serving and disconnected from emotional reality. The founder, who likely expected admiration for juggling business responsibilities during a family emergency, has instead found himself the subject of viral ridicule. Critics are now questioning whether his mother’s so-called encouragement was ever genuine—or just a convenient narrative twist to justify what they see as misplaced priorities.