11–20 of 200 posts
You can do all of the above and still fail. Often, success or failure is luck-based and completely not skill-based.
I read this phrase a few times. I'm genuinely curious - and didn't really see it in the article - what are the reasons for which Jessica is referring?
Edit - downvoted for asking a genuine question...? Did it ever occur to anyone that I may be asking to see how I could help, seeing as I'm involved with a few startups?
How many startup founders do you know think they aren't building something people want? These are some nice tips, but the problem with this advice is that it probably won't change founder behaviors. Most startup founders I know would think that they are focused, building something people want, not over hiring, etc... With the exception of the default alive or dead, none or the other tips are really quantifiable. I ap…
In fact, a lot of founders =think= they are building something people want but actually are not. Sure, they are unlikely to change based on a blog post but that's their problem.
You can do all of the above and still fail. Often, success or failure is luck-based and completely not skill-based.
You can do all of the above and still fail. Often, success or failure is luck-based and completely not skill-based.
Jessica asserts that conventions are too distracting and you shouldn't go to them. I don't completely agree with that. Depending on what type of business you're making, the best way to get work done is to go to conventions, because that's the only time you can easily meet with a bunch of people that are related to your industry and make new partnerships, check out new hardware/software solutions to save time or money…
I think conferences and conventions are the kind of thing that you can get some utility out of once your business is somewhat established and running, but not so much when you have a new startup that you need to take off the ground. Since YC focuses on the latter it's understandable that they would advise against them.
I worked at another startup with the same number of employees where we never did anything but work, work, work, focus focus focus, everyone was in such a hurry to get everything done that there wasn't time spent to see where the market currently was, what the competition was, and if we were working on products that would be desirable and successful. That company crashed and burned real hard.
If nothing else, conventions give you and your employees a bit of a forced breather from that lifestyle. But again, they aren't truly necessary, they're just tools, and can be useful or a waste of time.
Jessica asserts that conventions are too distracting and you shouldn't go to them. I don't completely agree with that. Depending on what type of business you're making, the best way to get work done is to go to conventions, because that's the only time you can easily meet with a bunch of people that are related to your industry and make new partnerships, check out new hardware/software solutions to save time or money…
The lesson here is either avoid the sinkhole of conferences/events. Or, if you are so inclined to go, make sure you understand that unless you are extremely focused and efficient, it is likely to be a waste of time for you.
> So while I’ll tell you that it is going to be harder for you as a woman, I read this phrase a few times. I'm genuinely curious - and didn't really see it in the article - what are the reasons for which Jessica is referring? Edit - downvoted for asking a genuine question...? Did it ever occur to anyone that I may be asking to see how I could help, seeing as I'm involved with a few startups?
That's literally off the top of my head from things I've literally seen first hand.
Can we stop pretending the real world isn't full of douchebags?