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- Marc Andreessen on how to think about taking the leap to start a startup
Marc Andreessen on how to think about taking the leap to start a startup
When Marc is asked how a founder can know they should go all in on their idea, he gives the following response:
“The best reason is you just can’t tolerate not doing it. This is the kind of thing where if you have to be advised into doing it, you probably shouldn’t do it. You just have such a burning sense of this has to be done. I have to do this. I have no choice.”
He’s asked, What if it’s going to lead to a lot of pain?
“It’s going to put you in a social tunnel for sure. The truth is all the successful founders are working 80 hour weeks. They form very strong social bonds with the people they work with. They tend to lose a lot of friends on the outside or put those friendships on ice. That’s just the nature of the thing. But for most people, that’s worth the trade off.”
It can be easier for younger founders who aren’t married yet and don’t have kids, but Marc points out there are many successful older founders too:
“Many of the most successful founders are 2nd, 3rd, 4th time founders. They’re in their 30s, 40s, 50s. The good news with being an older founder is you know more, which is very helpful. The problem is, okay, now you’ve got a spouse and a family and kids and you have to go to the baseball game.”