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Entrepreneur porn is a dangerous fantasy

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Re: Entrepreneur porn is a dangerous fantasy

#31

Post by eli_gottlieb »

lgbr wrote: post #28
borplk wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

can you elaborate on that?

In European countries it's common that civil servants achieve a distinct status from an employee. As an employee, your rights are relatively typical (you have a 1 month notification period if you are to be fired or laid off, certain procedures have to be followed in order to fire you). However, once you achieve civil servant status after a few years of being a regular employee, you cannot be fired without serious cau…

Or in other words, civil servants have actual job security and don't have to constantly worry about finding themselves in sudden poverty because of an economic pendulum swing.

Whoop de doo?

Re: Entrepreneur porn is a dangerous fantasy

#32

Post by jgeada »

To me, the worst part of the fantasy is that we then consider the people that actually do make it to the "money shot" as if they were management geniuses, instead of lottery winners.

Mostly the success has more to do with luck, timing and personal connections than the individual technical merits of the management team, but that is never what you read afterwards. And so you end up with all sorts of ridiculous management, methodology or market segmentation advice that bears little to no chance of ever working again. The same lottery ticket may win again, but it is highly improbable.

Re: Entrepreneur porn is a dangerous fantasy

#33

Post by geographomics »

kelvin0 wrote: post #10

Glad to see this piece posted on HN. I realize now when I first came to HN I felt somewhat 'ashamed' that I was not working towards being the 'next unicorn'. It took some time for me to realize that there are many more avenues that suit me and ultimately will be more fulfilling.

I find it best to enjoy HN for the technical content and ignore the rather absurd cult-like startup worship.

Re: Entrepreneur porn is a dangerous fantasy

#34

Post by mtberatwork »

tajen wrote: post #8

I was under HN influence when I started my solo product. I had designed it as bootstrapped: There is an opportunity, I fulfill it, then I don't go after the x1000 scaling. It worked at the end of year 1, and we're 2.5 years later, and I'm happy, not millionaire, but I have my own work schedule. There are several kinds of startups. The article mentions huge ones. Or you can start a consultancy, very classic business,…

> Or you can start a consultancy, very classic business, low risk.

Low risk? Consultancy/freelance businesses are very high risk. Easy to start, very difficult to maintain.

Re: Entrepreneur porn is a dangerous fantasy

#35

Post by ralmeida »

borplk wrote: post #17
cm2187 wrote: post #15

In France, the fantasy is civil servant porn... At least this promotes entrepeneurship.

can you elaborate on that?

I believe he meant that in France, being a civil servant is kind of a common "dream job" - high pay, little work, near 100% job security, plenty of benefits. Brazil has a similar culture with the "concurseiros" too.

Re: Entrepreneur porn is a dangerous fantasy

#36

Post by chubot »

epalmer wrote: post #30
AndrewKemendo wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it's not in your blood to absolutely have to be an entrepreneur (or painter, writer, comedian, etc...) you probably shouldn't be one.

But how do we know if it is in our blood? That is probably the hardest part.

Probably when you have to try NOT to do something...? Like at this point, I would have to try not to play guitar. Or try not to program and experiment with designs for systems software. But I am trying TO start a business as well. It doesn't come as naturally.

I like the idea of making money independently... and I actually DO like satisfying customers. But so far not enough to give it a real concerted effort. (I have a good job otherwise).

EDIT: Although I will admit I had to reach a certain level of competency at guitar and programming before I stopped needing to force myself to continue... you do have to sweat it out first. I think what YC is doing is good because they're providing the equivalent of free online guitar lessons... definitely better than nothing (for the motivated).

Re: Entrepreneur porn is a dangerous fantasy

#37

Post by SeanDav »

epalmer wrote: post #30
AndrewKemendo wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it's not in your blood to absolutely have to be an entrepreneur (or painter, writer, comedian, etc...) you probably shouldn't be one.

But how do we know if it is in our blood? That is probably the hardest part.

> "But how do we know if it is in our blood? That is probably the hardest part"

I would say if you have to ask that question of yourself, then the answer is self evident.

Re: Entrepreneur porn is a dangerous fantasy

#39

Post by zepto »

Retric wrote: post #23
rmc wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> already had a trust-fund or come from a wealthy background so they can spend all of their time writing, painting, or engineering Being from a wealthy background also benefits the startup because you or your family probably "know people" who can help.

Microsoft's early story looks a little different when you realize Bill Gate's mother just happens to know IBM's CEO.

That, plus Bill had a trust fund big enough not to have needed to work, so quitting Harvard was no risk at all for him.

Re: Entrepreneur porn is a dangerous fantasy

#40

Post by mgkimsal »

cm2187 wrote: post #27
borplk wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

can you elaborate on that?

When I was at university (a few years ago but not that long ago), the majority of the other students only had one idea in mind, becoming a civil servant, doing 9 to 5, job for life, no pressure, lots of holidays and free time to do other things, and early retirement (I am not even kidding, 20yo students looking forward to retirement). Working hard, creating jobs, professional success clearly wasn't on the list. I'd r…

The people I know that have fallen in to the "entrepreneurship porn" trap all focus on the "no pressure, free time to other things, early retirement" based on the millions they'll earn. No one who's really fallen hard ("we're gonna be the next Facebook") is heading in that direction because they're interested in "creating jobs". And... they may say "working hard" but often the real hard stuff comes up... they fold anyway.

I've also known some successful entrepreneurs who aren't afraid of working hard, but even then, professional curiosity, a bug to 'build' and other factors were at play. No one's stated goals were ever "I want to create jobs". The goal is the business. Couple friends of mine run small businesses pulling in a few million/year. Each would be just as happy if they could do it with 5 employees vs 40 employees - "creating jobs" was not their goal - "solving a need in the market" was.

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