The "problem" with the startup world and the Valley is that the people with the most money or the sexiest story have the loudest voice. So in this case it's the

The "problem" with the startup world and the Valley is that the people with the most money or the sexiest story have the loudest voice. So in this case it's the investors or people who made huge exits, and they get to influence what's cool and not cool among the young kids. Mega-successful founders think that they know the recipe for success, the same way that lottery winners keep telling that "you have to keep pushing and one day the big win comes to you". Investors are some of the same, plus, well, they can't make money on people like you, so what's the point in even talking about it? But don't despair, my friend, - people like you have a community: http://www.micropreneur.com/ http://www.micropreneur.com/ Note that it's paid forum. I'm still reading the book ( http://www.startupbook.net/ http://www.startupbook.net/ - endorsed by patio11 ) right now, and when I'm done I will join that forum, too. I already met the author/organizer and he's totally the kind of guy who would attract the kind of people you want to rub shoulders with. There's also going to be nice conference for people like you: http://www.microconf.com/ http://www.microconf.com/ I am attending, and so should you. Doubting your own sanity is the single biggest risk factor in your micro-business.