4 ms·

> Some people, no matter how they work to build a startup, are blocked from success by external factors, on which they can do nothing. What are the factors spe

> Some people, no matter how they work to build a startup, are blocked from success by external factors, on which they can do nothing. What are the factors specifically? How are you defining success? My definition is "You built a profitable business" and there are so many small businesses doing this across the world, I can't really think of external factors that are true deal breakers except perhaps very bad health, it's hard to start a business when you're bedridden. Millions of people are starting businesses all the time in incredibly limited situations like a street food cart in a slum in India and succeeding.

Mezzie 3y ago
Not who you responded to, but I have a disability (Multiple Sclerosis) that pretty much precludes me from building a successful business. Starting a successful, profitable business usually requires both working around the clock at first in order to establish it and the ability to forego health insurance/healthcare for a period of time. If I'm lucky I have 10 functioning hours a day and I need to make money to not starve so 8 is taken up with a full time job (luckily I walk 5 minutes to work so no commute). I also still need to shower, eat, and exercise to keep my physical condition from deteriorating. On bad days I'm sneaking in naps at work because I have less than 8 hours of good functioning. Weekends are usually spent recovering (sleep/migraine). Basically anything that eats up your time. Disability is just an example problem that nobody can blame on us. Edit: It doesn't need to be severe, which is why I mention it. I'm actually better off than 95% of MS patients.
- pdfernhout 3y ago
  You probably know this, but Dr. Terry Wahls, MD, and Nicole Apelian, PhD herbalist are two professionals with MS who have used diet and such to manage their MS. See also Dr. Joel Fuhrman: https://www.drfuhrman.com/health-concerns/9/multiple-sclerosis https://www.drfuhrman.com/health-concerns/9/multiple-scleros... His plan also has a lot of success with reducing or eliminating migraines for many people. Best of luck with managing MS.
bjelkeman-again 3y ago
I think it is fair to say that there is a difference between starting a business you can survive on and one which will make you a millionaire. These often get mixed, especially on HN.

Mezzie 3y ago

Not who you responded to, but I have a disability (Multiple Sclerosis) that pretty much precludes me from building a successful business. Starting a successful, profitable business usually requires both working around the clock at first in order to establish it and the ability to forego health insurance/healthcare for a period of time. If I'm lucky I have 10 functioning hours a day and I need to make money to not starve so 8 is taken up with a full time job (luckily I walk 5 minutes to work so no commute). I also still need to shower, eat, and exercise to keep my physical condition from deteriorating. On bad days I'm sneaking in naps at work because I have less than 8 hours of good functioning. Weekends are usually spent recovering (sleep/migraine). Basically anything that eats up your time. Disability is just an example problem that nobody can blame on us. Edit: It doesn't need to be severe, which is why I mention it. I'm actually better off than 95% of MS patients.

pdfernhout 3y ago
You probably know this, but Dr. Terry Wahls, MD, and Nicole Apelian, PhD herbalist are two professionals with MS who have used diet and such to manage their MS. See also Dr. Joel Fuhrman: https://www.drfuhrman.com/health-concerns/9/multiple-sclerosis https://www.drfuhrman.com/health-concerns/9/multiple-scleros... His plan also has a lot of success with reducing or eliminating migraines for many people. Best of luck with managing MS.

bjelkeman-again 3y ago

I think it is fair to say that there is a difference between starting a business you can survive on and one which will make you a millionaire. These often get mixed, especially on HN.