Come for the Ride!

Forming a council of trusted people was one of the best things I’ve ever done for my startup. The idea is to hold a weekly or monthly meeting discussing current challenges with a group of people who have nothing to do with the day-to-day of the startup; and preferably nothing to do with the company period.

As entrepreneurs, we are often caught up in our own tunnel of success. Having outsiders play devil’s advocate, passing knowledge or simply reminding you of common sense can often save you valuable time and pointless tangents. Also, if you are not a programmer/designer – chances are someone you know is and their higher standards will force you to do better than the half-assed attempt you hacked yourself at 3am.

If you’re currently working 60 to 160 hours a week on your NEXT BIG THING, take a moment to go find a group of people you trust and get their opinion on where you are. See if they understand your value proposition, your UI, your marketing materials, etc. If your startup doesn’t pass the most basic of smell tests – chances are you are letting your emotions drive this thing and it’s leading you down the path of the dark side.

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