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Are there any real struggling founders on this site?

I subscribed to this site a few weeks ago and have been reading frequently in anticipation of something, anything, relevant for the struggles of post-revenue, pre-profit, pre-Series A founders like myself.

My question is, is there anyone else on here more than 35 y/o, or running a company for more than 2 years? Love all of you, and have been enjoying responding to be helpful whenever possible, but at the same time I would be thrilled to connect with folks in or past my own stage of pains (like being responsible for a 10-person payroll all by myself, not sleeping, not seeing my family for Thanksgiving for 3 years, or even not having time for the dentist in 2 years). Start-up life is not fun …

  • 2 time founder, 10 years experience. Not struggling.

    Leadership is about setting a vision for the company and executing on it. That means prioritizing intelligently and delegating judiciously. Pushing yourself in an unsustainable way is not going to increase your odds of success. If you think working 80 hour weeks is necessary you’ve been reading too many of those rags-to-riches stories on the internet. I know you won’t listen but you’re hurting yourself for no reason.

    Reply

    • If your startup isn’t successful, you are going to do whatever it takes to make it work, until you either succeed or fail. This person is still in the first phase. Congrats to you on overcoming that, but there are certainly times where founders must take on a lot to get things done.

      Reply

      • GP here.

        This is a lie perpetuated by successful founders and the media because it sells. It’s the classic story of the nerdy underdog hero who refuses to surrender, refuses to back down, who will do whatever it takes to make their dreams come true, who no matter the odds, no matter the risk, no matter the sacrifices required, will ultimately claw their way to victory through sheer force of will.

        The consequences are predictable. Hero-worship of successful founders and condemnation of unsuccessful founders for not wanting it badly enough.

        The “Whatever it takes” mentality is a product of Hollywood-style dramatization. of successful founders stories. The real world doesn’t work like that.

        Reply

  • 35 yo, running to co for 5 years, 30+ person payroll, don’t sleep much, didn’t get a single day off for the first few years. no family thanksgiving this year, but hopefully christmas. haven’t been to a doctor or a dentist in a long time. in response to the fellow above, there’s no such thing as a blanket statement. some companies demand blood, some are ok with less. most fail. entrepreneurship isn’t a path to happiness. it’s a path to suffering. hopefully, it’s suffering for something you believe in. will talk if you want.

    Reply

  • 35 yo solo entrepreneur managing payroll for 4 persons then see 3 employees resign around almost the same time this year. Been doing this for 4 years now. Up and down moment all the time which is manageable. One thing I dislike is the constant loneliness and the needs to keep faking everything is well when it’s not.

    Reply
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