Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Why Should I Start a Startup?

blog.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

101–110 of 304 posts

Re: Why Should I Start a Startup?

#101

Post by mwseibel »

taurath wrote: post #77

I do find it rather hilarious that he dropped interest in yale for being too academic, but during my (failed) interview as a web developer at Twitch about 5 years ago, the questioning had to do with only academic subjects like graph traversal algorithms - they proudly stated when I applied that 90% of their employees come from an Ivy league background. Here's who I think should start a startup: - People with the back…

Sorry you didn't have a better interview experience at Twitch. Also, 90% of our employees didn't come from Ivy League backgrounds. Maybe there was a miscommunication there.

Re: Why Should I Start a Startup?

#102

Post by aaron-lebo »

vabmit wrote: post #98
taurath wrote: post #77

I do find it rather hilarious that he dropped interest in yale for being too academic, but during my (failed) interview as a web developer at Twitch about 5 years ago, the questioning had to do with only academic subjects like graph traversal algorithms - they proudly stated when I applied that 90% of their employees come from an Ivy league background. Here's who I think should start a startup: - People with the back…

I think there's some truth to the family support part of this. I was just racking my brain trying to think of any founder I knew (and I know a ton of them) that was in the position of "success or potentially homeless". But, I can't. I think there's some variable confounding going on when YC and others talk about people in their early 20's being better positioned to do startups because they're less risk averse due to…

Why is it like that, though?

If you are single you can live pretty damn well on 40 to 50k (depending on where you are). If you are in a committed relationship with no kids, things get cheaper with scale (food, living expenses, etc). To make 40k a year isn't that difficult when the going rate is a lot higher for a full time job. You scrap together some part time work and then you are able to support yourself and have lots of free time to work on your side project.

Granted, that's not possible for all startups or for all individuals, but it doesn't have to be homeless or success.

Re: Why Should I Start a Startup?

#103

Post by mwseibel »

vabmit wrote: post #98
taurath wrote: post #77

I do find it rather hilarious that he dropped interest in yale for being too academic, but during my (failed) interview as a web developer at Twitch about 5 years ago, the questioning had to do with only academic subjects like graph traversal algorithms - they proudly stated when I applied that 90% of their employees come from an Ivy league background. Here's who I think should start a startup: - People with the back…

I think there's some truth to the family support part of this. I was just racking my brain trying to think of any founder I knew (and I know a ton of them) that was in the position of "success or potentially homeless". But, I can't. I think there's some variable confounding going on when YC and others talk about people in their early 20's being better positioned to do startups because they're less risk averse due to…

I agree that being able to move back in with your parents is a huge luxury that many founders have (I did as well). I also believe that there are a lot of people (not everyone of course) who have that safety net.

Re: Why Should I Start a Startup?

#104

Post by sna1l »

"About 2 months after being kicked out of school I suddenly felt pissed off again. I realized that my school, some of my friends, and even some of my family members thought I would never graduate from college. My motivation came back instantly." -- this passage seemed kinda weird to me. Seems like he got his motivation back due to spite?

His 3 questions at the end also seem to point to him having a chip on his shoulder.

Re: Why Should I Start a Startup?

#106

Post by mwseibel »

spitfire wrote: post #100
technotony wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure you actually read this because it's pretty obvious that it actually tells many people not to do a startup and makes it clear that 'getting rich' or 'succeeding' isn't a very good reason for doing one. It gives three pretty clear criteria for starting a startup that most people won't meet- those that do might be worth considering it.

That's the sales pitch. "It's too hard, you couldn't do it." Same sales pitch as gym workout programs. "Are you man enough?" and many others. Create an artificial scarcity (a barrier to entry), weed out those who will ask questions. Ideally they're looking for people who seek outside validation - the sort of people who often become doctors or lawyers.

My goal was to help people create their own framework for deciding whether to do a startup. I actually didn't talk much about YC at all.

Re: Why Should I Start a Startup?

#107

Post by mwseibel »

jasode wrote: post #92
graveThrow56 wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought the same. If if was genuine, he would suggest another option: starting a small/medium business in tech. You know, a business that helps you escape corporate life, and make money for yourself in the process. Only problem: there is no way for YC to make money off of it... So let's ignore S&M businesses in tech and as a valid entrepreneurship route. Let's pretend that the only options are a startup or corporat…

>if was genuine, he would suggest another option: starting a small/medium business in tech. It's an essay relating his personal experience. (Notice that Seibel wrote: "Here is how I learned this about myself. [... rest of text ...]" He didn't cofound a small-medium-lifestyle business so he wrote what he was familiar with: justin.tv/twitch. Lastly, I didn't see any advice that didn't also apply to small-medium busines…

Totally agree - I think this applied to starting almost any business. I'm just speaking from personal experience.

Re: Why Should I Start a Startup?

#108

Post by avn2109 »

taurath wrote: post #77

I do find it rather hilarious that he dropped interest in yale for being too academic, but during my (failed) interview as a web developer at Twitch about 5 years ago, the questioning had to do with only academic subjects like graph traversal algorithms - they proudly stated when I applied that 90% of their employees come from an Ivy league background. Here's who I think should start a startup: - People with the back…

[0] is still funny and still true.

"Employing Type A personalities to shuffle around amorphous blobs of questionable value is not called a “startup accelerator”; it’s called Investment Banking."

[0] http://www.leveragedsellout.com/2014/02/the-book-of-graham/

Re: Why Should I Start a Startup?

#109

Post by mwseibel »

nnd wrote: post #99

> Do I seek the hard challenges that most people shy away from? Arguably, you can find much harder challenges working for a bigco, at least when it comes to engineering challenges. Also, surprisingly one of the biggest factors involved when it comes to starting a startup is not mentioned: idea itself.

Engineering challenges I certainly agree. Life challenges though? I think we can have a good argument about that one.

Re: Why Should I Start a Startup?

#110

Post by tmccrmck »

mwseibel wrote: post #41
jpetso wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's the origin of your desire to be better than all of your peers?

Because I realized that I could be better

In what ways? Sorry Michael, but I reject the idea that you can be 'better' than another person.
Post reply on HN