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I enjoyed this article, but I think it glosses over a very important part of my (and my cofounders') own motivation for starting a company: vision. Sometimes y
by thisisbrians 6y ago
I enjoyed this article, but I think it glosses over a very important part of my (and my cofounders') own motivation for starting a company: vision.
Sometimes you see or believe something that others simply can't or don't, and you want to do something about it. Trying to find a (usually narrowly-defined) job that lets you work on these things can be very hard because there usually has to be someone looking for solutions to these hard-to-see problems, and you sacrifice a bunch (more) of your autonomy in the process.
Founding a startup is a great solution to this problem; convince some capital that you have deep conviction and competence to make a material change in the world and put in your own elbow grease to prove it. If you are willing to work hard you don't need very much money to amplify the impact of your own decisions and efforts and the snowball grows, attracting more resources along its path.
It's still really hard to do, but founding a startup remains one of the best ways to prove out a hypothesis in the real world and achieve actual change, while still allowing for a decent income even in the event of failure. It is worth it if the mission is compelling.
- jmschlmrs 6y ago"[..] while still allowing for a decent income even in the event of failure." How does this work? You're just taking enough of a salary as an early stage C[X]O/founder that your downside is limited?
- thisisbrians 6y agoEssentially. At least enough not to accrue debt. In the event of complete failure of the startup, you'd still likely come out worse financially than if you'd taken a more traditional job (especially in tech). So there is, of course, still substantial opportunity cost — but the upside of success can be huge.
- x87678r 6y ago> you see or believe something that others simply can't or don't, and you want to do something about it. It must be more than vision. I see things all the time that more others can't but I really dont have the time or inclination to start a company.
- qppo 6y agoaudacity?
- thisisbrians 6y agonaïveté ;)
- dumbfoundded 6y agoOne of the most powerful motivations I rarely hear discussed is desperation. As stupid as it sounds, for myself, desperation to prove myself and fear of failing are what have driven me. People in general don't like to be miserable for long periods of time. You almost have to be miserable enough to think a startup is worth it.