Startups are not toys, jewelry, or accessories

Sorry to break the news, but most people can’t start a company that succeeds. Just like most people can’t play in the French Open or on the Lakers or perform at the Olympics. It’s just that in sport the physical limitations are more immediately obvious.

Mainstream media would lead you to think that startups are:

  • fun

NO NO NO

If you’ve hung around long enough in this game, and witnessed a unicorn or two, a lot of zombies and a ton of deaths and fizzle outs, it should be obvious that endeavoring to start a new high-growth companies is:

  • one of the hardest challenges in life

Don’t ‘start a startup’ because it’s something to do or sounds cool. You’re wasting everyone’s time — especially yours — and money, likely not yours.

Start a company because you are:

  • intensely passionate about solving a problem

If this isn’t you, don’t despair. Far better to know that before you go all-in. And, besides, while you may not be right to start and lead the next unicorn, there is no reason you can’t join one.

-Wills Hapworth | TIA Ventures

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TIA Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital fund that partners with companies building emotional and visceral connections with their consumers.

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TIA Ventures

TIA Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital fund that partners with companies building emotional and visceral connections with their consumers.