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Enough

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Re: Enough

#81
post #31

DHH's writing sort of radiates a sense of superiority.

Several thoughts: You could read the article as sour grapes. Like his business didn't reach unicorn valuation, so well, that wasn't his goal in the first place. I remember seeing a YouTube interview (I believe it was on TWIST) when he claimed there was no hypothetical amount of money he would take (billions, etc) to sell his business. The cynical and greedy part of me found it incredulous. Is this guy in denial? Sure…

Actually there are many reasons not to sell. If someone is offering billions and you think it's worth millions, then either you're right and the buyer is wrong, or the buyer is right and you're wrong. Or the buyer wants to make a risky play on the business you don't think is right. Maybe the buyer is offering illiquid stock or something. In any case, if you enjoy the business you have, and feel it is making enough money, then why would you sell it? It's risky to sell, it could be a mistake for various reasons, seen and unforseen. You're putting your baby in someone else's hands and you will have to find a new job. So that's a big change already.

There are many reasons you would want to sell too, of course. Just saying it's not clear cut just because of valuations.

Re: Enough

#82
This is especially true for Chinese businesses, but for an entirely different reason. Once a business reaches a certain size, it doesn't belong to the founder anymore, it's becoming state-owned. The founder either ends up in prison or have to escape from the country. Business owners talk about "keeping it small and low-profile" all the time.
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