> The one thing all successful founders have in common is that they found help early on from people in a position to help. Yes, but very rarely did the help co

> The one thing all successful founders have in common is that they found help early on from people in a position to help. Yes, but very rarely did the help come before the proved themselves in some way. They could have gone to the right school, learned the right skills, worked with the right people, gotten involved in the right clubs (on or off campus), took the right job, took the right risk, or any combination of those things. And things tend to multiply. Going to the right school opens doors but so does learning the right skills. And both can lead to the right job working with the right people. The right clubs are hit or miss but can also lead you to the right people. The right risk might put you next to the right person for that one conversation that changes your perspective or path. * Also, every time I said "right" above, it should be in quotes. Because what's right for you on your path isn't necessarily the same for everyone else. I grew up poor but went to a great college. My first couple jobs were mediocre but I worked with some great people. My skills were basic until I got involved in a few meetups/user groups and then had to learn to get better. I worked for a couple terrible startups that burned out quickly but I met great people. They forced me to learn more constantly. Then I turned those skills into something bigger and better as I could. I'm not calling myself "successful" but I have had successes.. and a lot of failures. ;)