Lessons Learned After Two Years as a Startup Founder

http://thederek.com/post/48350468025/lessons-learned-two-years-startup-founder

by derekflanzraich • 13 years ago

53 14 13 years ago

thederek.com

jacobrobbins• 13 years ago

this was great, thank you for taking the time to pull your thoughts together.

derekflanzraich7• 13 years ago

sure thing, Jacob-- appreciate this.

alexatkeplar• 13 years ago

Fire people who aren't 10x unicorns as fast as you can? You need a Rictus Director, not a Smiles Director.

derekflanzraich7• 13 years ago

Less catchy of a title?

jonathanjaeger• 13 years ago

Great openness and willingness to be transparent about the fact you don't always feel in control (as much as you would want your investors, team, and users to think so 24/7).

derekflanzraich7• 13 years ago

thanks Jonathan!

colemorrison• 13 years ago

Awesome post! I loved the part about building up the long-term network to reach out to later.

derekflanzraich7• 13 years ago

Totally-- hard when you're starting out, but definitely starts to click over time... thanks Cole!

drorweiss• 13 years ago

IMO you don't need a team of only unicorns. In fact, ego management will be very difficult if you miraculously manage to build such a seemingly perfect team. You need a good balance between leaders and "followers", who can be great people, but not superstars.

derekflanzraich7• 13 years ago

I don't disagree, really. Some positions obviously aren't made for "unicorns" but, that said, have found that just because someone is brilliant doesn't mean they're necessarily a pain in the ass.

medell• 13 years ago

Great post, from the heart. And a beautifully designed website. Great to see someone using their exit money to spread good in the world.

derekflanzraich7• 13 years ago

Thanks! Not sure what you mean by "exit money," but hey-- I'll take it.

therobot24• 13 years ago

i constantly wonder whether it's worth entering the startup world after finishing my phd, hearing of 'hire fast/fire fast', looking for 'unicorns'....is this rat race even worth it? What's wrong with just wanting to solve problems, why do you need to build fast as opposed to building something that's awesome and works well - find a niche and grow from there. I can almost feel the 'pressure of the job' for those engineering the system when reading posts from founders/ceos with regards to recruiting - here's a hint "it's always about finding the right employees" (well no shit sherlock).

derekflanzraich7• 13 years ago

If you're wondering whether it's worth it, definitely sounds like it probably isn't for you. Like all fulfilling things in life (I imagine like getting a PhD, eg.), it's freakin' hard-- so you better go after the things that you think will be worth it & more, IMHO.

Lessons Learned After Two Years as a Startup Founder

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