Earlier quoted context omitted.
I enjoyed the article, never liked the term startup vs business, and nothing (not even hn) can really prepare you for what to expect when you actually go for it and start one. But it's not a game. When people's businesses (even startups) fail, there's real harm done, maybe harm that will take years to repair. I guess when it's OPM who cares... but that attitude can be a precursor to irresponsible spending/investment…
"there's real harm done" Not really. Having been a low-level employee on several of these sinking ships in the past few years, the pattern is despicably predictable. Everyone who works for a startup knows the game they are playing. Many of the experienced ones will even see the writing on the wall and bail early. The laid off employees have no trouble finding their next job. Just like in Vegas, there's always another…
Re: My thoughts on why I will not call my business a startup again
#51You should put that on your next pitch deck: "VCs-- If you invest in me, you can expect to lose money! That's your business model, right? Take it from me, I'm practically making a career out of jumping off one sinking ship to another! Yeeeeee haw!"