52 Tiny Venture Lessons⁠↗

Great founders are ferociously productive. It does not feel strange or silly to refer to them as an “animal.” Look for people you could describe with a straight face in this way.

Every startup is a tiny kingdom, operating under a particular set of rules and norms. They are, in a sense, a “cult,” beholden to a hierarchical structure and governed by an irrational belief.

Beware of startups that preach work-life balance. Building something out of nothing does not come from balanced minds. It takes heroically hard work, long hours, and irrational levels of commitment from founders and early employees. If a young company champions its equilibrium, raise an eyebrow. It may signify a team keen to “play startup” more than one desperate to win.