Seth Sternberg, CEO of start up dotcom company Meebo, yesterday published a “how to” guide on literally “start-ing up” business ideas. From idea to empire – he covers it all off with the wisdom of a true geek entrepreneur.
I took the following two points away – from this practical, how-to guide:
1. Put together an incredible team
2. Put together your product and get it out there
In my view, it’s the simplicity of this that makes it so important. The message is, specifically, that so many start-up entrepreneurs focus on securing funding from investors. None of this matters – in fact, it could directly harm your chances at success… until you’ve got a product ready to go (or already on it’s way).
There are a huge number of great ideas out there – there is, however, a shortage of individuals willing to take action on them.
Here’s Seth’s advice to beginner entrepreneurs:
“At the exact moment you had your idea, ten other people had the exact same idea. There was just something in the environment that made it the right time for folks to think that one up. The race has already begun! Who’s going to execute first? Who’s going to execute best? If you want to waste nine months trying to raise VC money for that idea, great. But six months in, you’re gonna cry when you see someone else put out that same product you’re pitching me right now. Like I said, forget everything else and just get your product out the door. Now.”
