"Do you want to HAVE a startup, or do you want to BUILD a startup?"
This question has become my litmus test over the years, helping me identify true founders from those who merely have "founder aspirations."
The distinction?
Some people are enamored with the IDEA of having a startup.
Optimistically, they love the concept, the potential, the vision. They think, "Wouldn't it be amazing if this existed in the world?"
Cynically, they love the idea of being famous and wealthy and influential.
I have a friend who spent years and a mountain of cash launching an accelerator. But when I asked him, "Did you want to BUILD that accelerator? Roll up your sleeves and do everything possible to make it happen?"
His silence spoke volumes.
Here's the truth: Everyone's got ideas.
I have a wonderful idea for an art-swapping app that I believe would hugely benefit the art community. I could design it in a weekend, have a tech friend build it in weeks.
But that's the easy part.
The REAL challenge? Making it successful.
That requires:
- Relentless grinding 📈
- Facing constant rejection 🚫
- Getting punched in the face again and again 🥊
It's about picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, and moving forward. Every. Single. Time.
Many people have no desire to do that. And understandably so—it's a shit job.
Building a startup isn't rocket science. But it is hard work. It's not about having the coolest idea; it's about the grit to turn that idea into reality.
So, when someone comes to me with the next "big thing," I ask them:
“What would you like to be doing in five years?”
When someone say, “managing an executive team doing most of the work,” or, “strategy,” or, god forbid, “hopefully something other than this startup,” I run for the door. (These are all answers I’ve heard, multiple times, btw.)
The only correct answer is, “whatever it takes.”
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PS. 90% of startups fail.
I'm exceptional at helping you stay focused on the things that will destroy your business if you do them (or don’t do them).
Send me a DM saying “obvious” for a free strategy session.