The Startup Delusion: Beyond the Hype Lies the Real Journey

Let's be honest - most articles and stories about starting a business paint a rosy picture, filled with motivational quotes and promises of great success. However, what they often neglect is the reality of the countless ventures that don't make it. Having witnessed the triumphs and failures of over a dozen companies I've founded and managed, as well as countless others I've seen rise and fall (not to mention advising some of them), I continue to learn and realize how little I know about this. I want to share a different perspective. This isn't about scaring anyone away. I believe that a true entrepreneur isn't scared by difficulty; they're fueled by the challenge. If the urge to build something new burns brightly within you, no amount of discouragement will stop it. Conversely, if you hesitate and require constant motivation, this path might not be for you. There's nothing wrong with that; a successful career awaits in countless other avenues.

The mistakes that come to my mind, without being prioritized by importance or frequency, please add yours if you feel I am missing something important.

• Analysis Paralysis: overthinking and delaying the launch.
• The Myth of the Golden Idea: fearing someone will steal your idea.
• Building a Bridge to Nowhere: focusing on product development without validating market need.
• The Lone Wolf Trap: failing to surround yourself with a talented team.
• Feature Frenzy vs. Benefit Focus: prioritizing features over solving core customer problems.
• Ignoring the Pivot: failing to adapt your strategy based on market feedback.
• Blowing Up the Balloon Too Fast: expanding the business before a solid foundation is laid.
• Heeding the Crew's Advice: considering suggestions from those not accountable for the outcome.

While some of the mistakes and ideas may overlap, that's part of the beauty and challenge of entrepreneurship – discovering what works best. It's like driving a car: you don't always need to go full speed, nor do you always need to crawl. Sometimes you need to push hard, and other times you need to come to a complete stop.

I am going to dive deep into each of the topics mentioned by dedicating an article to each of them, complete with real-life use cases and ideas.