Hazardous Journey
I saw a comment from an investor about how starting startups may have become overly glamorized:
The romanticization of being a startup founder is kind of insane to me:
– You’re statistically unlikely to succeed
– You’ll have no life and be totally consumed
- Incredible lows
– You’re locking yourself in for 10+ years
This is insanely hard and NOT for everyone.
Either the investor is baiting us, or they don’t realize how much this echoes Ernest Shackleton’s supposed1 recruitment ad for the Endurance expedition:
Men wanted for hazardous journey.
Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness.
Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success.
Nobody starts a company because it’s easy.
Anyone who takes their craft seriously — and endures rejection or, worse, indifference — knows it isn’t a clear route to stability or security.
This is about making something (of yourself).
Applications are currently open for…
Solo Founders Program — make remarkable progress with other solo founders
ODF’s 26th cohort — explore ideas and find collaborators
Shackleton’s advertisement may well be apocryphal. A nonprofit called the Antarctic Circle has offered a reward if someone sources an actual advertisement. Despite being posted 24 years ago, the bounty remains unclaimed.