YC
Why Should I Start a Startup? by Michael Seibel
@ Y Combinator
11/29/18
Takeaways
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
There's a certain type of person who only works at their peak capacity when there is no predictable path to follow, and they must take personal responsibility for failure, which is different from most jobs at large companies.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
I realized that there are three types of people: those who can only thrive in entrepreneurial roles, those who can succeed in either entrepreneurial or corporate environments, and those who operate best within large companies.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
The first group consists of people who will not enjoy their lives inside a big company; they are the ones who are naturally inclined to start small businesses.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
The second group is on the fence; they want to be challenged by work and can apply themselves in both entrepreneurial and corporate settings, but they have choices to make.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
The largest group consists of people who operate best within a large company, seeking a system to optimize and follow existing rules rather than creating their own.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
It's important for individuals considering starting a startup to be intellectually honest about which group they belong to, rather than being influenced by external pressures.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
Many skilled craftsmen, like developers, often think they want to become entrepreneurs to pursue their craft, but they may not realize that entrepreneurship often requires them to stop doing what they excel at.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
As a founder, you often end up doing tasks that you're not good at, which can lead to frustration, as the things you love to do may no longer be part of your role.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
When deciding whether to start a startup, I ask myself where I perform best and where I feel organically motivated, reflecting on my life experiences to identify those situations. You need to be honest with yourself about when you truly kick into high gear, as this can help you determine your career path.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
Be cautious about taking advice from biased individuals, as many young people fail to recognize the biases in the advice they receive.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
Prestigious jobs at companies like Facebook and Google often have little to do with actual facts and can create unrealistic expectations about career impact.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
Understand the biases of those giving you career advice, especially from big companies, which may have ulterior motives in attracting talent.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
Many people tend to seek advice that confirms their existing beliefs, which can lead to poor decision-making regarding their careers.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
In college, peer advice can shift from being helpful to misleading, as peers may not have the knowledge about the diverse career paths available.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
If you're not irrationally motivated to pursue a startup, the experience can be frustrating and you may not grasp the risk-reward balance.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
From a financial perspective, working at a company like Google is often safer than starting a business, but it may not lead to personal fulfillment for everyone.
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Michael Seibel
11/29/18
@ Y Combinator
Experimenting with projects during college can help you discover your passion and see if entrepreneurship is right for you.