In no particular order, here are my thoughts…

<aside> 💡 Principle 1: starting something is f****** hard!!!

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• It will take over your life
• You will most likely fail
• “Before I started my first company, an experienced entrepreneur I know said, ‘Get ready to feel sick to your stomach for the next five years.’ And I was, ‘Eh, whatever.’ Then later, I was, ‘Shoot, I should listen to the guy.’” - link
• These articles from Paul Graham articulate it well - link

<aside> 💡 Principle 2: there are many different types of businesses and ways to fund a business

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• There are a number of ways to build a $100m tech business…

<aside> 💡 Principle 3: speak to people

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• You shouldn’t keep your startup idea secret...there are at best a handful of people in the world who might actually drop everything and copy your idea

<aside> 💡 Principle 4: somebody has definitely encountered the problems you’re trying to solve…Google it & ask for help!

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• YC startup list is a case in point for this - an abundance of resources on every topic imaginable! - link to the YC Library or link to Sam Altman’s collection / this checklist for starting something in an AVC post / Paul Graham’s summary in 13 lines
• The Startup Owner’s Manual by Steve Blank (link) - sat on a founder I know’s shelf gathering dust for years whilst it would have avoided so many errors
• Take the time to read, google the problem or ask for advice. Whilst it takes time, it will save you huge amounts of time going forward