3 ms·

Weird stance. Startups are not really about money. They are about greater risk. For a startup founder it is not unusual to spend a lot of time, and still make

Weird stance. Startups are not really about money. They are about greater risk. For a startup founder it is not unusual to spend a lot of time, and still make zero money. And it is also possible to spend only couple of years, and make so much money that you can leisurely work for couple of days a month, and go surfing for the rest of the month. And do that same thing for the rest of your life. As an employee you will surely make some money always, and only spend certain amount of time. As a freelancer/contractor typically your risk is a bit greater (you might not get good gigs or something), but as a reward you can earn more money for less time. So it is not about whether you value your time or money. It is about your risk appetite. It is not that uncommon to do this kind of "lifestyle business" thingie where the primary goal is freedom and time, not necessarily money.

orthoganol 11y ago
I'm not sure I understand your position. They entail risk, but they aren't motivated by risk, they don't exist because of risk. > Startups are not really about money I agree, > Only do it if... you believe you're changing the world in the greatest way you can They are about pursuing a vision. Even YC has said they dislike opportunists, and for good reasons (they make bad startups).
- repomies691 11y ago
  I like opportunists, they don't necessarily make great startups, but ethical and hardworking opportunist usually does good for the world.
coldtea 11y ago
>So it is not about whether you value your time or money. It is about your risk appetite. It is not that uncommon to do this kind of "lifestyle business" thingie where the primary goal is freedom and time, not necessarily money. Why the condescending tone for those businesses? The main motivation behind startup is making loads of money. Similar to casino players, hoping to the big payoff. There's more risk of course, but that's not the motivation -- else startup founders would be as likely to be daredevils like Evel Knievel. Startups don't care much about the actual business aspects (actually making money from what they do) as much as getting VCs to pour money in and then exit. OTOH, the motivation between lifestyle business is not just freedom and time, but also the product. A custom motorcycle shop or some company making a software tool like BBEdit, for example, with extremely passionate people putting tons of hours into what they do, are "lifestyle businesses". Where in a "startup proper" a founder can be just as happy to sell their to some giant company that while close their main product (acquihires and tech acquisitions).
- msellout 11y ago
  > Why the condescending tone for those businesses? I didn't read his tone as condescending. > Similar to casino players ... don't care much about the actual business aspects That's quite the generalization. Is it possible you've over-fit to a few observations?
bo_Olean 11y ago
If I'm not mistaken parent is talking about 'working for a startup' that IMHO isn't as risky as 'co-founding' the startup, which of-course has its whistle bells. Why would a 10th employee join a startup for the risk and not for the money ?
- repomies691 11y ago
  The OP as well talks about "founding a startup". I agree it is unclear what he is talking about.

orthoganol 11y ago

I'm not sure I understand your position. They entail risk, but they aren't motivated by risk, they don't exist because of risk. > Startups are not really about money I agree, > Only do it if... you believe you're changing the world in the greatest way you can They are about pursuing a vision. Even YC has said they dislike opportunists, and for good reasons (they make bad startups).

repomies691 11y ago
I like opportunists, they don't necessarily make great startups, but ethical and hardworking opportunist usually does good for the world.

coldtea 11y ago

>So it is not about whether you value your time or money. It is about your risk appetite. It is not that uncommon to do this kind of "lifestyle business" thingie where the primary goal is freedom and time, not necessarily money. Why the condescending tone for those businesses? The main motivation behind startup is making loads of money. Similar to casino players, hoping to the big payoff. There's more risk of course, but that's not the motivation -- else startup founders would be as likely to be daredevils like Evel Knievel. Startups don't care much about the actual business aspects (actually making money from what they do) as much as getting VCs to pour money in and then exit. OTOH, the motivation between lifestyle business is not just freedom and time, but also the product. A custom motorcycle shop or some company making a software tool like BBEdit, for example, with extremely passionate people putting tons of hours into what they do, are "lifestyle businesses". Where in a "startup proper" a founder can be just as happy to sell their to some giant company that while close their main product (acquihires and tech acquisitions).

msellout 11y ago
> Why the condescending tone for those businesses? I didn't read his tone as condescending. > Similar to casino players ... don't care much about the actual business aspects That's quite the generalization. Is it possible you've over-fit to a few observations?

bo_Olean 11y ago

If I'm not mistaken parent is talking about 'working for a startup' that IMHO isn't as risky as 'co-founding' the startup, which of-course has its whistle bells. Why would a 10th employee join a startup for the risk and not for the money ?

repomies691 11y ago
The OP as well talks about "founding a startup". I agree it is unclear what he is talking about.