START-UPERS; ARE YOU LISTENING?

"Nothing can withstand the power of the human will if it is willing to stake its very existence to the extent of its purpose."

Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) British politician and author.

Start-up entrepreneurs, do not make the mistake of only believing the first 9 words without also believing the last 12.

Both are equally true for those attempting a start-up.

Your will can conquer as long as it, and you, are willing to accept the cost as being absolutely everything you hold dear, right down to the garage you start-up'd in.

TO ACHIEVE, SOMEONE'S HEART MUST BURN

"Every great achievement is the victory of a flaming heart."

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) U.S. poet/essayist/lecturer.

Flaming heart: An apt description of how much commitment is necessary to achieve the things we'd all like to achieve.

Understand, much more than simply wanting something is necessary to have it; you must also have the knowledge, training, and plan to achieve your most significant goals

But it does start with with deep commitment to do whatever is necessary, including accepting the possibility of failure.

NOT ALONE

"One aged man -- one man -- can't fill a house."

Robert Frost (1875-1963) American Poet.

Substitute "startup" for "house" and this works just as well, regardless of whether or not the man is aged.

One woman too.

THE ONLY SURE THING: THERE ARE NO SURE THINGS

"What men want is not knowledge, but certainty."

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) British logician/philosopher

And no men (women too) want this more than venture capitalists whose job it is to invest in as sure things as possible.

If you're looking for institutional investment, don't worry; they know there's no such thing as a sure thing.

However, they want to know you know that too.

IF IT WERE EASY, WOULD IT STILL BE WORTH IT?

"The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly; 'Tis dearness only that gives everything its value."

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) English intellectual

Well to remember this if you are just beginning a start-up. 

It will involve conflict, it will not be easy, all of which will make the hard fought triumph, should you succeed, all that more glorious.

NOT WHAT IS, WHAT WILL BE

"We have it in our power to begin the world over again."

Thomas Paine

18th century English intellectual

And if not the world, certainly your business and absolutely what you will become in the future.

But you have to do it!

The Glorius Departure

"All glory comes from daring to begin."

Anonymous

BW reader Tim Andersen asked me if all my new venture decisions were based on reason or passion, a question which relates to this post.

If they had been largely or certainly completely based on reason, I doubt I'd ever have started anything.

At some point, you have to begin.

Funding: What It Takes

"Our greatest lack is not money for any undertaking but rather ideas. If the ideas are good, cash will somehow flow to where it is needed.

Robert Schuller

I doubt that Dr. Schuller would see his ministry as a business but in many ways I think it is; one possible exception being when it comes to raising money. In my experience for that to happen three conditions must be met in the following order:

1. Solid management
   
2. A detailed plan
3. A good idea

Without the first two, no pennies from heaven.