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This reminds me of a DHH talk at startup school where he says it's not just about being "the next ... INSERT BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY HERE". The funny thing is u

by dools 16y ago

This reminds me of a DHH talk at startup school where he says it's not just about being "the next ... INSERT BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY HERE". The funny thing is until I started reading HN I had no idea the extent to which people are out here building apps frantically for the "big exit". When I read about how much 37signals get pissed off at being referred to as "a lifestyle business" I had no idea that this subculture chasing VC and Angel investing even existed. I had a vague notion that people got investment but I feel a little uneasy about the way that young kids coming straight out of high school are being influenced by this culture. Everyone just wants to "be an entrepreneur" and no-one really seems to know what that means. In most cases, business is about raising invoices, not capital.

MicahWedemeyer 16y ago
It took me years to unlearn the "get investment, get big exit" mentality and focus on a lifestyle business. Looking back, the thought of getting investors for my ideas is so ridiculous, but all you ever hear about are dumb ideas getting millions in funding. I just thought that's how it worked.
bad_user 16y ago
It happens mostly in Silicon Valley because of the success enjoyed by some big companies that grew fast and became very profitable, like Amazon and Google. Problem is, for every Google-like company, there are hundreds if not thousands that fail to make a profit and just disappear. On the other hand building a 37signals-like company is within reach of most talented people, but these stories aren't highlighted by the media (unless you have the oratory talent of DHH).
noodle 16y ago
> The funny thing is until I started reading HN I had no idea the extent to which people are out here building apps frantically for the "big exit". not really that surprising. while a great tech resource, HN is, of course, an offshoot of YC.

by dools 16y ago

MicahWedemeyer 16y ago

It took me years to unlearn the "get investment, get big exit" mentality and focus on a lifestyle business. Looking back, the thought of getting investors for my ideas is so ridiculous, but all you ever hear about are dumb ideas getting millions in funding. I just thought that's how it worked.

bad_user 16y ago

It happens mostly in Silicon Valley because of the success enjoyed by some big companies that grew fast and became very profitable, like Amazon and Google. Problem is, for every Google-like company, there are hundreds if not thousands that fail to make a profit and just disappear. On the other hand building a 37signals-like company is within reach of most talented people, but these stories aren't highlighted by the media (unless you have the oratory talent of DHH).

noodle 16y ago

> The funny thing is until I started reading HN I had no idea the extent to which people are out here building apps frantically for the "big exit". not really that surprising. while a great tech resource, HN is, of course, an offshoot of YC.