What's one piece of advice you'd like to give your pre-founder self…?
Rick Turoczy
51 replies
[Caveat: I know this gets asked every now and then. It's been a minute since I've seen a recent post asking this.]
Think about everything you've learned since you started your first project. It's staggering, isn't it?
And honestly, most of what you know today requires the context of years of experience to even make sense. Still, there are those snippets of insight. Truisms that are readily understandable and intelligible by even the most naive novice.
Like you were. When you started.
With that in mind, you now have the opportunity to share some of your current knowledge with that earlier version of you. By writing a note to yourself.
What is one thing you wish you had known before you began this journey of building products, setting up side hustles, or starting startups…?
I'm looking forward to learning from you. Thanks in advance.
Replies
Jill Salzman@foundingmom
SLOW DOWN. I'd remind myself about that virtue/patience thing....
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@foundingmom I want to make sure to capture these for posterity. Just wanted to check if you'd like to be identified or should I attribute this to "Anonymous"…? Let me know!
Your energy is your greatest resource. If something or someone is draining you and not filling you back up, cut it out!
@portlandrebecca I want to make sure to capture these for posterity. Just wanted to check if you'd like to be identified or should I attribute this to "Anonymous"…? Let me know!
You're a person first and a creator second. Be kind to yourself.
@tylersticka I want to make sure to capture these for posterity. Just wanted to check if you'd like to be identified or should I attribute this to "Anonymous"…? Let me know!
So many things. 1. Remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint. 2. Be narrow and specific about what you build and who it’s for. 3. Hire the best people you can afford. And ensure they have the same passion and commitment that you do.
@daleclareburt I want to make sure to capture these for posterity. Just wanted to check if you'd like to be identified or should I attribute this to "Anonymous"…? Let me know!
Don't wait for the product to be ready, start selling it now!
@angezanetti I want to make sure to capture these for posterity. Just wanted to check if you'd like to be identified or should I attribute this to "Anonymous"…? Let me know!
One thing? Focus on the long game; don't compare your journey with someone else's highlight reel; prove that value prop... again and again; find a founder peer support group; you never fail when you launch a business - entrepreneurship is the best personal development program out there, and it sets up you to win now or later. ♥
@andelyons Ha! I was trying to make it easy with one thing. You're welcome to share as many as you like. Thank you!
@andelyons I want to make sure to capture these for posterity. Just wanted to check if you'd like to be identified or should I attribute this to "Anonymous"…? Let me know!
For me, it is this - Validate before build
@vivek_ganesan I want to make sure to capture these for posterity. Just wanted to check if you'd like to be identified or should I attribute this to "Anonymous"…? Let me know!
Take it easy, everything that is worth comes with time..You don't need to be good at everything, know your strengths and how to delegate
@jennifer00 Great callout! So many founders try to shore up their weaknesses instead of playing to their strengths.
@jennifer00 I want to make sure to capture these for posterity. Just wanted to check if you'd like to be identified or should I attribute this to "Anonymous"…? Let me know!
JUST LAUNCH IT YOU IDIOT
@maxwellcdavis I want to make sure to capture these for posterity. Just wanted to check if you'd like to be identified or should I attribute this to "Anonymous"…? Let me know!
nothing matters if users can't click something: mockup, prototype, early mvp, later MVP, full app -- whatever it is, get the user something they can click through and do that fast and often -- "always be clicking" as they say
Don't start as an Apple Dealer...go straight into software because software rocks! 😀
@neil_wainwright I want to make sure to capture these for posterity. Just wanted to check if you'd like to be identified or should I attribute this to "Anonymous"…? Let me know!