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The "Me, Too" Startup Syndrome

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Re: The "Me, Too" Startup Syndrome

#21

Post by AVTizzle »

jack-r-abbit wrote: post #10
AVTizzle wrote: post #5

There's a subtle, rather meta feeling I can't shake when I read "cautionary" blog posts like these. It's the feeling that maybe the author isn't writing it for anyone else's benefit as much as their own. Like the author writes to reinforce that, unlike said "friend" who's making all these cautionary mistakes, they themselves are in it for all the right reasons. Every time the author makes a, "he" statement, you can j…

I didn't think that when I read it but I can see where one could think that. I do think he's got a point about the "me, too" start up bandwagon that appears to be growing. I would not try to discourage anyone from giving it a go as long as they are being smart about it. I would if/when the time was right.

"I would not try to discourage anyone from giving it a go"

That's the ticket right there.

When friends and friends-of-friends have expressed a curiosity into startups, I treat them with the same respect I would hope for. Very clear - forceful even - about the risks and challenges of entrepreneurship, and very, very critical about ideas (but always with the "...but who am I?" disclaimer). But overall, I try and default to being supportive and encouraging.

It's not charity either. There are absolutely selfish benefits behind being supportive. Like Guy Kawasaki or Keith Ferrazzi would point out - the more helpful you are, the more valuable your network. It's impossible to quantify, but being supportive early on is just the best thing for everyone involved.

Re: The "Me, Too" Startup Syndrome

#22

Post by gravitronic »

Some advice I try to live by is to ignore others and just do "you".

So, don't worry about whether or not your friend is starting a business for the right reasons. He'll figure it out.

Your productivity will increase when you focus on your own goals instead of others.

Re: The "Me, Too" Startup Syndrome

#23

Post by jack-r-abbit »

squarecat wrote: post #20
squarecat wrote: post #13

Aaaand cue "Sexist!" outcries...

Really?? Doesn't "...And a few girlfriends slept alone in their beds, While visions of exits danced in their boyfriends’ heads..." operate on the same presumption that has resulted in a number of others getting their asses handed to them recently?

Can't we just be glad that we're no longer looked at as "dorky programmers that can't even get a mate" and just move on? Why kick the hornet's nest?

Re: The "Me, Too" Startup Syndrome

#24

Post by jack-r-abbit »

AVTizzle wrote: post #21
jack-r-abbit wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't think that when I read it but I can see where one could think that. I do think he's got a point about the "me, too" start up bandwagon that appears to be growing. I would not try to discourage anyone from giving it a go as long as they are being smart about it. I would if/when the time was right.

"I would not try to discourage anyone from giving it a go" That's the ticket right there. When friends and friends-of-friends have expressed a curiosity into startups, I treat them with the same respect I would hope for. Very clear - forceful even - about the risks and challenges of entrepreneurship, and very, very critical about ideas (but always with the "...but who am I?" disclaimer). But overall, I try and defaul…

yes... which is why I also had the part about being smart about it. sometimes a bad idea really is just a bad idea. ;)

Re: The "Me, Too" Startup Syndrome

#25

Post by AdamFernandez »

I don't know if the author was trying to express this particular sentiment, but I am concerned by a general theme that I have noticed in articles I have been reading on HN lately.

1. We are in a bubble, because all these 'useless' startups are getting funding when they should not be (debatable on many levels).

2. Too many startups are focusing on areas that are over like 'Social'.

3. Some people just aren't good enough or cut out for this, so they should avoid it, and let the ones with a specific set of 'opinions' create startups.

My advise to anyone also sensing this theme and turning away from creating a startup is this:

Do it for whatever reason you want!

If you want to make a great product, and love hacking, awesome! Go for it!

If you want to get rich and jump in, awesome! Go for it!

There are no guarantees in life about whether anyone will succeed, but there is also not infinite time to wonder what might have been. Even if 90% of these ventures fail, there will still be more great products and opportunities for everyone. Because that crazy 10% wasn't deterred by someone else telling them what should and shouldn't be. Cautionary tales help to educate, but don't be discouraged by anyone if you really want to do it.

Re: The "Me, Too" Startup Syndrome

#26

Post by larrys »

"- But why do you want to get into YC?

- Are you kidding? It’s an awesome opportunity: you get to mingle with smart people, work on something exciting, get funding and mentorship, investors will chase you to give you money, and you’re much more likely get acquired in the future.

- That’s not what I meant. I know YC is a great place. But why do YOU want to get in?"

"why do YOU want to get in?" The question was answered.

Re: The "Me, Too" Startup Syndrome

#27

Post by arkitaip »

rhizome wrote: post #14
AVTizzle wrote: post #5

There's a subtle, rather meta feeling I can't shake when I read "cautionary" blog posts like these. It's the feeling that maybe the author isn't writing it for anyone else's benefit as much as their own. Like the author writes to reinforce that, unlike said "friend" who's making all these cautionary mistakes, they themselves are in it for all the right reasons. Every time the author makes a, "he" statement, you can j…

I think the word you're looking for is "patronizing," with the implied title actually being "Them (or You) too?"

Exactly. Also, the idea that you have to have higher ideals to become an entrepreneur is laughable at best. It's about business, not self realization. If anything, this piece made me sympathize with the friend who approaches YC with irreverence and gusto instead of fear and angst of not doing a startup for the "right" reasons.

Re: The "Me, Too" Startup Syndrome

#28

Post by nostromo »

AVTizzle wrote: post #5

There's a subtle, rather meta feeling I can't shake when I read "cautionary" blog posts like these. It's the feeling that maybe the author isn't writing it for anyone else's benefit as much as their own. Like the author writes to reinforce that, unlike said "friend" who's making all these cautionary mistakes, they themselves are in it for all the right reasons. Every time the author makes a, "he" statement, you can j…

Anyone who has been through an incubator has probably heard this line:

"Most of your companies will fail. And now that I've said that, you're all feeling sorry for everyone else in the room."

Honestly, I encourage my friends to take risks and try new things, even if I have inner doubts about their ability to pull it off. I do so because I think that trying something really, really hard improves you skill set -- even if you end up failing.

If a friend said, "I'm going to try and get into the Olympics!" would you tell them all the ways they're likely to fail? Or would you encourage them to try and achieve a dream? The key is not understating the risks; be both encouraging and honest.

Re: The "Me, Too" Startup Syndrome

#29

Post by mjn »

pazimzadeh wrote: post #2

I mostly agree with you; however, you do realize that your blog is called "Funtrepreneur," right?

If funtrepreneurship doesn't work out, there's always the more time-tested consulting version, the funsultant. Or, when all other options fail, the default, funemployment...

(Yes, these are all actual words people use, though for different things. Punning on "fun" seems irresistible. With apologies for the self-link, more on the 2nd one: http://www.kmjn.org/notes/funsultants_and_gamification.html)

Re: The "Me, Too" Startup Syndrome

#30

Post by wildmXranat »

Awesomepreneur in me says you should take that inner voice that makes you doubt because of public opinion out back and shoot it. Do what you need, to get the job done in whatever plan and stay focused. Most will fail, some will last but wounded, few will stick around and all of them will blog about it. Just focus on getting the job done, even if it's a local-centric social network for pets with sepia instagram avatars. Well, maybe I went too far, but keep focused on your own work, not others.
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