Starting a startup is hard work. It’s a very different kind of “hard” work than what most jobs require. It’s not as difficult physically, as doing something like construction and it’s not as intellectually demanding as something like medical school. However it is emotionally and psychologically draining as there is so much uncertainty involved.
Not only this, but there is added pressure on the founders of an early stage startup because it’s testing whether their “vision” is real or actually a hallucination. This can make them feel very bare and vulnerable.
I think the best way to describe what it feels like to be a solo founder is via this video:
Visionary? Or Just having a hallucination?
First you have to be willing to put yourself on the spot, be willing to be ridiculed and possibly laughed at.
Very few people are willing to be that first person dancing to their own tune though. Most people never even get to this stage and they fail because they didn’t even get started.
Then when you’ve finally proved that you’re not insane and that there’s a party going on which is going to make an impact and a positive change, people will join you – these are your early adopters and your co-founders.
Then before you know it you’ve got a whole business dancing to the tune of common interests and values, working towards a common goal.
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