It’s easy to get caught up reading about the startup that codes from the beach, or the other startup that was featured in [insert name here], or that other startup that raised a bunch of money and was valued at a billion dollars (in make believe money that is).
Blah blah blah. Those are not accomplishments that matter. Raising money and getting a high valuation is not a milestone worth celebrating — it’s a reason to get to work. Don’t waste your time reading about them. Don’t waste your time trying to emulate them.
What matters is creating something that people love. What matters is solving a customer’s problem.
What matters is:
- Shipping, not talking or reading or dreaming. #shipit
- Learning every single day, no exceptions.
- Becoming a craftsman – always trying to make the thing you made just a little bit better; never saying “It’s good enough.”
- Building a team you love.
- Changing people’s lives for the better, making a positive difference, making someone smile when they use that thing you built.
And who matters most are the people you do it alongside: the friends, the colleagues and, most importantly, your family.
On this Mother’s Day weekend I hope you’re focused on what really matters. I know I could not do what I do without the endless support and encouragement from my friend, partner, and wife, who also happens to be an amazing mother to our children.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there, and thank you for putting up with us!
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Well said; ’nuff said.
Great thoughts, David. And very well-timed for RamenCamp tomorrow – a conference all about the idea that raising money isn’t necessary to succeed. Thank you.
Ramencamp looks amazing! I’m sorry I can’t go. My kingdom for a Ramencamp t-shirt!!!
As a successful digital advertising startup, I can personally vouch for everything that was mentioned here (especially the learning every single day part).
True Passion should also be added to the list. The kind of passion that has you telling yourself “Oh, I’ll just do one more thing” and you end up spending four or five extra hours getting things perfect.
Building a team you love is HUGE and I’m glad it was mentioned in this post. I currently haven’t hired any employees yet but it’s looking to be necessary in the near future. As a startup, it’s vital that the first few team members you bring in share your passion for what you do and can add value to your company. Don’t hire friends or family just because you think it’ll make them happy. Your business IS your second family, make sure you start it off right and give it the resources it needs to grow.
Great stuff! I’d add “connect and learn from other people in similar, but different situations – outside your team and family, who know the ups and downs of business and can help you see problems in a new light”.
I’m starting a digital marketing agency which is going great but experiencing the common issues many new businesses face. I went to a lean startup networking group last week which totally re-energised my approach to business and helped me see and break some imaginary obstacles which were slowing down progress. The other people in the group were in very different fields but we could all help each other heaps
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