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I guess it comes down to how far you're willing to push. If you do move to the Valley (as YC partners frequently advise you to), then you probably could get a m

I guess it comes down to how far you're willing to push. If you do move to the Valley (as YC partners frequently advise you to), then you probably could get a meeting with Peter Thiel if you really tried. I mean if someone figuratively held a gun to your head and told you to, you probably could. I agree with the general point, though - you need a certain amount of baseline opportunity to be able to do this stuff. That is a problem that needs fixing.

soneca 12y ago
No, i couldn't. Not until I had dozens and dozens of meetings with other entrepreneurs, then other infestors, create relationships, trust. I would need to spend all my current cash just to pay my expenses on the valley for the time to pull that out. And not working nearly enough to justify it. I mean, these asvice "work really hard" sounds like bs to me. As a lot of people who fails don't work hard. As luck isn't necessary and people who work hard enough inevitably get lucky. I work hard and smart as I can. But I still know the odds are against me. Stories about how all my toughest troubles were solved by a legendary VC trusting me isn't much you can learn from.
- wj 12y ago
  Read up on the concept of a "luck surface area". You can start building it now no matter where you are. If you're the type of person who say, "I will just quit" you might not be the type of person that a VC wants to fund. I've heard it said (might have been from a Stanford ETL talk) that you should do a startup because when you wake up in the morning you absolutely can't do anything else. If I was a VC I would want to fund people with that level passion. Access to capital or a VC is just a roadblock. Detour around it or take another road.
  - soneca 12y ago
    Well, i don't believe in "types of people". The Homejoy founder said she would have to quit if didnt get the money at that time. She would be of a different type then?
    - wj 12y ago
      I think you're nitpicking to avoid addressing my point. s/you're the type of person who/you would say/
- adora 12y ago
  I decided 7 years ago, despite not knowing anyone in Silicon Valley, to just quit school and move there. Got the first startup job that I could, which happened to be at Slide (founded by Max). I hate networking and generally avoid the whole social tech scene -- so I just worked hard, delivered results and got attention that way. My point is, by working hard AND smart, you can create your own opportunities, e.g. having access to investors when you really need them, etc. It takes time and commitment but it's certainly possible.

soneca 12y ago

No, i couldn't. Not until I had dozens and dozens of meetings with other entrepreneurs, then other infestors, create relationships, trust. I would need to spend all my current cash just to pay my expenses on the valley for the time to pull that out. And not working nearly enough to justify it. I mean, these asvice "work really hard" sounds like bs to me. As a lot of people who fails don't work hard. As luck isn't necessary and people who work hard enough inevitably get lucky. I work hard and smart as I can. But I still know the odds are against me. Stories about how all my toughest troubles were solved by a legendary VC trusting me isn't much you can learn from.

wj 12y ago
Read up on the concept of a "luck surface area". You can start building it now no matter where you are. If you're the type of person who say, "I will just quit" you might not be the type of person that a VC wants to fund. I've heard it said (might have been from a Stanford ETL talk) that you should do a startup because when you wake up in the morning you absolutely can't do anything else. If I was a VC I would want to fund people with that level passion. Access to capital or a VC is just a roadblock. Detour around it or take another road.
- soneca 12y ago
  Well, i don't believe in "types of people". The Homejoy founder said she would have to quit if didnt get the money at that time. She would be of a different type then?
  - wj 12y ago
    I think you're nitpicking to avoid addressing my point. s/you're the type of person who/you would say/
adora 12y ago
I decided 7 years ago, despite not knowing anyone in Silicon Valley, to just quit school and move there. Got the first startup job that I could, which happened to be at Slide (founded by Max). I hate networking and generally avoid the whole social tech scene -- so I just worked hard, delivered results and got attention that way. My point is, by working hard AND smart, you can create your own opportunities, e.g. having access to investors when you really need them, etc. It takes time and commitment but it's certainly possible.