Entrepreneurshit • Hacker News Board

Re: Entrepreneurshit

#41

Post by ccachor » Mon, Nov 19, 2012, 3:33 AM UTC

ahoyhere wrote: post #38

This is ONE way to be an entrepreneur, certainly not the only one. I don't mean to brag, because I'm sure none of you care about my "little dipshit company," but there are people out there who deserve to know that this kind of adrenaline junkie lifestyle as described in the article is not "entrepreneurship" as a whole but just one type of person's interpretation of it. We, for example, got back a couple weeks ago fro…

I'm convinced it's a matter of getting out there and building something. Building or offering something, that someone is willing to pay for, will make you a wage maker versus a wage taker. Tech Crunch, Inc. magazine, etc all kind of romanticize and promote this kind of thing. But, like a lot of things in life, reality is much different than what you think.

Re: Entrepreneurshit

#42

Post by polyfractal » Mon, Nov 19, 2012, 4:28 AM UTC

jessedhillon wrote: post #36

polyfractal wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Umm, woah there buddy? The parent poster presented disagreements in a rational, calm manner that facilitates discussion. Everyone is entitled to opinions, and he made his points in a rather respectful manner. You, on the other hand, exploded like a bomb. Why the need to lash out so violently? You've been around HN for a long time so you should know that this kind of discourse is not really desired.

Are we reading the same posts? Is it calm and rational to tell someone their head is up their ass?

Ah, fair enough, I did glance over that particular verbage in his post. Cursing aside, the overall tone of his post was pretty level-headed.

I think people can and should disagree with opinions, including opinions of someone as well known as Mr. Suster. And you can and should be able to disagree with someone disagreeing with said opinions.

But do it nicely, yeah?

Re: Entrepreneurshit

#43

Post by scott_meade » Mon, Nov 19, 2012, 5:14 AM UTC

Wish there were more explanation as to "why?". If someone enjoys voluntarily living such an unsustainable lifestyle, fine. Everyone needs to get their thrills somehow.

But when it comes to playing with other peoples' plans, emotions, money and lives; then for "the rush" seems like a thin reason to live every day wearing a game face for employees, creditors, and family.

Glad to have Amy Hoy pointing out that Suster's view of the world is far from the only definition of entrepreneur!

Re: Entrepreneurshit

#44

Post by pelargir » Mon, Nov 19, 2012, 5:22 AM UTC

Some people become entrepreneurs because they want to make loads of money. Others do it for the freedom and lifestyle it affords them. It just depends on what your priorities are. Personally, I prefer setting my own hours over driving a BMW.

Re: Entrepreneurshit

#45

Post by jessedhillon » Mon, Nov 19, 2012, 5:27 AM UTC

polyfractal wrote: post #42

jessedhillon wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are we reading the same posts? Is it calm and rational to tell someone their head is up their ass?

Ah, fair enough, I did glance over that particular verbage in his post. Cursing aside, the overall tone of his post was pretty level-headed. I think people can and should disagree with opinions, including opinions of someone as well known as Mr. Suster. And you can and should be able to disagree with someone disagreeing with said opinions. But do it nicely, yeah?

Apart from being a little sarcastic I think I was generally respectful. I basically said that it was overkill to flame him so harshly when the only argument appears to be based with Suster's style. It's certainly fine to disagree with anyone, just why so harshly, and especially over such a minor point. Why not more respectfully?

Re: Entrepreneurshit

#46

Post by jessedhillon » Mon, Nov 19, 2012, 5:44 AM UTC

ahoyhere wrote: post #38

This is ONE way to be an entrepreneur, certainly not the only one. I don't mean to brag, because I'm sure none of you care about my "little dipshit company," but there are people out there who deserve to know that this kind of adrenaline junkie lifestyle as described in the article is not "entrepreneurship" as a whole but just one type of person's interpretation of it. We, for example, got back a couple weeks ago fro…

I expect downvotes for this.

I upvoted, but I think this is an important point:

Mark Suster is a VC, and so his perspective will of course have to reinforce a view of the world that justifies the kind of entrepreneurship which requires large financing rounds -- unless he is a very honest individual who can accept that he does a job which is based on principles which he personally cannot endorse (I doubt this).

Conversely, you have a business that revolves around the idea that small(er) ideas can be scaled to large profits -- relative to lower expectations than VC financing, and relative to effort. What I mean is, from what I can tell: as a business, 30x500 forwards the idea that ~$0.5M/yr going into your own pocket for ~40 hrs/wk on a predictable basis is a preferable outcome to the proposition of applying a massive effort toward a very small chance for a single $10M-$100M+ payout.

This is a valid viewpoint as well, but it should be noted that you have an interest in forwarding this kind of a story as a valuable model of entrepreneurship.

I hope you understand that I'm not passing judgment on your model of entrepreneurship, i.e. I'm not saying you have a "little dipshit company." I don't have a preference to either.

Re: Entrepreneurshit

#47

Post by bryanjclark » Mon, Nov 19, 2012, 5:44 AM UTC

Observation: nearly every single slide in that presentation that describes entrepreneurs exclusively features men in the (bad) clip art.

Just sayin': you can do better than that.

Re: Entrepreneurshit

#48

Post by mrkurt » Mon, Nov 19, 2012, 6:16 AM UTC

ahoyhere wrote: post #38

This is ONE way to be an entrepreneur, certainly not the only one. I don't mean to brag, because I'm sure none of you care about my "little dipshit company," but there are people out there who deserve to know that this kind of adrenaline junkie lifestyle as described in the article is not "entrepreneurship" as a whole but just one type of person's interpretation of it. We, for example, got back a couple weeks ago fro…

I have not built a successful company like yours, but I can't imagine the decision to hire employee #1, or health care options, or drama related to a bad hire, or any of the other things that can cause ulcers have been stress free for you guys.

I have unsuccessfully attempted to build an company like yours ... and it was stressful.

Re: Entrepreneurshit

#49

Post by ryanackley » Mon, Nov 19, 2012, 6:27 AM UTC

As I was reading this, I couldn't help but juxtapose this article on top of the first world problems meme on everything this guy was saying.

"I had to miss a full day with my family, camping in the mountains...to raise $150 million"

Poor guy! This would be more relevant coming from someone who utterly failed.

Re: Entrepreneurshit

#50

Post by ComputerGuru » Mon, Nov 19, 2012, 7:46 AM UTC

ahoyhere wrote: post #38

This is ONE way to be an entrepreneur, certainly not the only one. I don't mean to brag, because I'm sure none of you care about my "little dipshit company," but there are people out there who deserve to know that this kind of adrenaline junkie lifestyle as described in the article is not "entrepreneurship" as a whole but just one type of person's interpretation of it. We, for example, got back a couple weeks ago fro…

I am 100% with you on this one. I never knew it was as easy as simply building something small and charging money for it, because I was embarrassed to sell my stuff. Then I decided to try it, and wow, was it easy!