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Steve Jobs' memo to startups

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Re: Steve Jobs' memo to startups

#41

Post by amirmc »

pg wrote: post #31
kenjackson wrote: post #21

PG wrote a good post on this topic (a counterpoint I would argue). Unfortunately I can't find it. But it's about why selling your company makes sense -- why you should give it to people who are optimzied for running a business. Or something to that effect. Probably worth rereading if I could find it.

I think this may be the one you mean: http://paulgraham.com/prcmc.html

The talk you link to in that essay leads to a 404. Is it this talk on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CDXJ6bMkMY)?

If so, maybe you want to update the link.

Re: Steve Jobs' memo to startups

#42

Post by mosburger »

kenjackson wrote: post #21

PG wrote a good post on this topic (a counterpoint I would argue). Unfortunately I can't find it. But it's about why selling your company makes sense -- why you should give it to people who are optimzied for running a business. Or something to that effect. Probably worth rereading if I could find it.

There was also a great debate between PG and DHH (of Rails fame) on what defines a "startup," as well as some philosophical tangents on what made one successful. It was a really good discussion.

This quote reminded me of that thread, but I'll be darned if I can find it now.

Re: Steve Jobs' memo to startups

#43

Post by shawnc »

The whole startup, get funding, sell the company idea is a new one to me - and yet i've been self-employed for close to 12 years. I had one job after High School, and that was working with my dad.

So my opinion on this is likely not so valid - but I think that those that enter into it for the 'quick buck' are few and far between, and also those that succeed at it are even fewer. It's not the 'ideal' way to go about starting a business, and I don't think it's the norm either.

It's a sweeping generalization - which is easiest to make and from reading his Bio, Steve's normal communication style as well.

Re: Steve Jobs' memo to startups

#44

Post by kenjackson »

pg wrote: post #31
kenjackson wrote: post #21

PG wrote a good post on this topic (a counterpoint I would argue). Unfortunately I can't find it. But it's about why selling your company makes sense -- why you should give it to people who are optimzied for running a business. Or something to that effect. Probably worth rereading if I could find it.

I think this may be the one you mean: http://paulgraham.com/prcmc.html

That is the one. Looked right at the name in the list of essays and skipped it. Thanks Paul. Good to reread.

Re: Steve Jobs' memo to startups

#45

Post by steve8918 »

snarfy wrote: post #19

This from the guy who took the $5000 for breakout after Woz stayed up for 4 days straight fixing design issues caused by bad specs from Jobs. Fucking managers.

Steve Jobs said to Woz that he personally couldn't remember this happening, but that if it happened, then he apologized.

Kids do a lot of stupid things. I've done my share of stupid things as well in my early 20s. To vilify him for something he did 30+ years previous and for something he apologized for is ridiculous.

Re: Steve Jobs' memo to startups

#46

Post by hkmurakami »

runevault wrote: post #32
pg wrote: post #24

I can't say he was mistaken, since he was only saying he disliked it. But I don't think there's anything wrong with selling a company at any stage. Steve's problem with selling seemed to be that you're shirking work by doing it. But that isn't necessarily, or even usually, true. A lot of people who sell startups go on to do other things, and often bigger things. If we were still running Viaweb, we could not have star…

Probably depends on if the idea is your one true dream, or just something you found interesting enough to invest the time/take the risk. That would have a huge impact on if the money is worth giving up being in control of the company/product's destiny.

I remember a quote from Startup School which went something along the lines of,

"Don't pick an idea for the sole reason that it will allow you to do a start up. Find a problem that you're truly passionate about solving, and things will take care of themselves"

Re: Steve Jobs' memo to startups

#47

Post by gizmo »

noonespecial wrote: post #23

I kind of think the opposite. Entrepreneurs are the ones that create viable businesses, cash in, and move on (usually to try to do it again.) Steve, on the other hand, created the mother of all lifestyle businesses. (for his value of lifestyle, of course)

I think that's stretching the definition of lifestyle business a bit much. Surely not every person who starts a business for the long haul is building a lifestyle business?

A lifestyle business is a business you start in order to live a certain lifestyle. The dictionary definition talks about generating an income that is sufficient to sustain a lifestyle, but no more. Steve certainly didn't start Apple because he wanted to maintain a specific lifestyle.

Re: Steve Jobs' memo to startups

#48

Post by anon808 »

middus wrote: post #40
pittsburgh wrote: post #28

Between this post and comments from startup school along the same lines, there seems to be a lot of people complaining about founders looking to make a quick buck without having to work hard for it. I live in SF. I'm running a startup, and many of my friends are as well. Where are these lazy, get rich quick people I keep reading about? Am I just lucky to only be surrounded by hard-working entrepreneurs who are trying…

What's wrong with looking to make a quick buck without having to work hard for it in the first place?

There's no rules, you can do whatever you want. But i think a lot of people have realized history shows the get rich quick type of folks tend not to actually contribute anything to human progress and more often than not are looking to take advantage of others for their own gain (allowing them to save time to riches). My question: Why would I ever want to deal with anyone like that, and why would anyone else?

Re: Steve Jobs' memo to startups

#50

Post by runevault »

hkmurakami wrote: post #46
runevault wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably depends on if the idea is your one true dream, or just something you found interesting enough to invest the time/take the risk. That would have a huge impact on if the money is worth giving up being in control of the company/product's destiny.

I remember a quote from Startup School which went something along the lines of, "Don't pick an idea for the sole reason that it will allow you to do a start up. Find a problem that you're truly passionate about solving, and things will take care of themselves"

I didn't catch the stream but I mostly agree with that advice.

I do find myself wondering if it's worth doing any idea to build up capital for something else if you feel an idea has potential but you aren't sure you can sell it to investors without putting in a lot of time and money into it first to show the true potential.

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