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"I’m Not Unique - This Will Likely Happen to You" "So if you don’t think any of this will happen to you, then you’re probably wrong. After all, a successful st

by larrys 13y ago

"I’m Not Unique - This Will Likely Happen to You" "So if you don’t think any of this will happen to you, then you’re probably wrong. After all, a successful startup is likely going to be 7 to 10 years of your life minimum. And a lot of life happens in 7 to 10 years." Don't agree with this at all. Total hyperbole (the "this will happen to you"[1]) I've been observing small business and entrepreneurship for probably longer than Wade has been around. There are countless people that are operating all sorts of businesses (say the local restaurant) that also have life events and you figure it out. I've had them all through my business years. I started young as well. My father got sick, employees had problems everything. Life goes on. You can't not do something because you might have a bunch of circumstances that might come together over the course of 10 years (or longer). That said of course it's a bit safer to work for the government with a guaranteed job if that's what you want out of life. But the reasons that Wade is giving, at least the ones which he details are simply not reasons to be fearful of starting a business. [1] Things happen of course but the question is will they happen to a degree that creates a situation that you can't handle.

WadeF 13y ago
I don't think you caught quite what I meant. In any seven to ten year period you likely will have a major life event. If you can handle it, then you can probably run a startup. If you can't, then don't. The people you've worked with clearly can handle it.
- larrys 13y ago
  If I can find the time I could probably come up with a list of questions that I would ask someone that would be a predictor of what they would do in a particular circumstance, that, when taken as a whole would indicate whether they are cut out for "the life". Examples: "Your aunt dies on Thursday, she will be buried on Sunday but you have a major trade show to go to and play an important role that could determine the future of your company. What will you do?" "Your father has a heart attack and is in the hospital. You go to visit him but you have an important sales apointment that afternoon that took months to arrange. What do you do?" (with a bit more detail obviously). "Your best friend from college (who you haven't seen in two years) wants to come and stay at your place for a few weeks because he was kicked out of his apartment and says he has no place to go. You know this will be disruptive and a pain but feel a sense of obligation because he helped you a few times over the years and let you stay at his place." There are no right or wrong answers but the degree of dedication to ones family, existing values, commitments etc are good indicators of whether someone is willing to put their business life first. Which is, in short, what it takes. Not the best example but I'm sure that Steve Jobs wouldn't miss a product launch when his Aunt died. Nor would Brian Williams (NBC) blow off a major story happening which he had to cover because a parent was in the hospital unless they were literally on their deathbed.
  - WadeF 13y ago
    Exactly. Steve Jobs and Brian Williams are clearly two people born to do what they do/did. Some people just aren't cut out for that.

by larrys 13y ago

WadeF 13y ago

I don't think you caught quite what I meant. In any seven to ten year period you likely will have a major life event. If you can handle it, then you can probably run a startup. If you can't, then don't. The people you've worked with clearly can handle it.

larrys 13y ago
If I can find the time I could probably come up with a list of questions that I would ask someone that would be a predictor of what they would do in a particular circumstance, that, when taken as a whole would indicate whether they are cut out for "the life". Examples: "Your aunt dies on Thursday, she will be buried on Sunday but you have a major trade show to go to and play an important role that could determine the future of your company. What will you do?" "Your father has a heart attack and is in the hospital. You go to visit him but you have an important sales apointment that afternoon that took months to arrange. What do you do?" (with a bit more detail obviously). "Your best friend from college (who you haven't seen in two years) wants to come and stay at your place for a few weeks because he was kicked out of his apartment and says he has no place to go. You know this will be disruptive and a pain but feel a sense of obligation because he helped you a few times over the years and let you stay at his place." There are no right or wrong answers but the degree of dedication to ones family, existing values, commitments etc are good indicators of whether someone is willing to put their business life first. Which is, in short, what it takes. Not the best example but I'm sure that Steve Jobs wouldn't miss a product launch when his Aunt died. Nor would Brian Williams (NBC) blow off a major story happening which he had to cover because a parent was in the hospital unless they were literally on their deathbed.
- WadeF 13y ago
  Exactly. Steve Jobs and Brian Williams are clearly two people born to do what they do/did. Some people just aren't cut out for that.