Build it
"If only I had ____ I would succeed." These simple words will kill your dreams faster than anything else you could say or think. There are so many self-defeating thoughts that an entrepreneur can have, and they often take this very simple form.
One of the more common phrases you hear if you spend any time around aspiring entrepreneurs is "If only I had a technical cofounder..." This is a cringe-worthy thing to say. If you want to build a technology company, how is it that you can start without a technical background? It is not impossible, but damn near close to it. If you don't possess the skills currently to build it yourself, then you've got a problem. There is an inverse correlation between how much you need something and how readily available that thing is to you. When it rains it pours. This applies directly to your ability. If you can code, design, market, sell, and ship your product, then you will have one hell of an easier time finding people to do each of those things for you. If you can only do one or two of those things, you've got a lot more needs, and it will be that much harder to fill them. Self-reliance fixes this. So what is a non-techie aspriring entrepreneur to do? The most straightforward thing possible, naturally. Code. Learn to do it. Learn to build. Pick up a book and type out the examples. To create great things, there are blood sweat and tears. It might take two years or ten, but better a dream realized in ten years than not at all. The good innovation -- the innovation that makes the world a better place and builds real wealth in society -- that stuff is done by radically self-reliant creators who get their hands dirty. Not talkers. Not dreamers. Builders. So I leave you with one simple command as you work on your dreams.
You should follow me on twitter here.
25 comments
Sep 22, 2009
Robin said...
Thanks for the kick in the behind, Garry
Sep 22, 2009
Chris Nadeau said...
Or partner with a brother who can code :-) What 1st step would you recommend to someone who has never coded before?
Sep 22, 2009
Gus Murray said...
Totally agree Gary, entrepreneurs need to be 'action' orientated, if you don't have a technical background, find a great partner to work with who does, or as you say learn it yourself. I agree that too many would be entrepreneurs get stuck at the 'if only' stage and aren't either resourceful or creative enough just to get started. They don't need a VC or tons of $ just some mock-ups, prototype, basic working version, whatever, just something that they can build upon and start showing customers, potential partners, staff etc. Speaking of building, when am I going to be able to 'tweet' posts in Posterous? :)
Sep 22, 2009
Chris Nadeau said...
@Gus does the autopost not work for what you want to do with Twitter for your posts? Or do you mean tweeting comments?
Sep 22, 2009
Sep 22, 2009
Gus Murray said...
@ChrisNadeau, sorry meant that I would like to 'Tweet' other peoples posts, like the one above, is it possible already?
Sep 22, 2009
Jon Mulholland said...
Good advice from @garytan. Roll your sleeves up and 'Build it'
Sep 22, 2009
Andy Auyong said...
Excellent thought! idea->action!
Sep 22, 2009
Mike Langford said...
You know... I've been chasing after capital for @Tweetworks for months now. I've self funded my venture and have hired a great virtual team to build and service the application. But as the bank account runs low and the need for continued development pops up, I can't help thinking I could've learned to code and built the things I want to see myself by now. I love this post. Not because I've been running around with a "if only I had a" attitude but it serves as a reminder that sometimes there's just no substitute for rolling up ones sleeves and getting it done.
Sep 22, 2009
Jasmine Hill said...
Great Post! ;)
Sep 22, 2009
Andrew Warner said...
Right on
Sep 22, 2009
Justin Lee said...
Yes "Just Build It"!
Sep 22, 2009
sean casey said...
Good words man! Very motivational. You should write more stuff like that.
Sep 22, 2009
Tanner Powell said...
Good post. Time for tutorials...
Sep 22, 2009
WERXdesign said...
Great article, as I hear people putting too many restraints on themselves, all the time. Don't close doors on opportunities, but if you don't belong there in the first place, go find your door(s) - it's there.
Sep 22, 2009
Tuyen Vo said...
Ahhh... spoken like a true engineer! I agree that having technical skills is super helpful. However, for those of us who are technically challenged, starting a company in a recession is great. Lots of great, inexpensive coders on the market!
Sep 22, 2009
Jordan Brown said...
Well said! Thanks Garry.
Sep 22, 2009
tony bordonaro said...
amen...
Sep 22, 2009
jacob spence said...
great words of advice. on a simpler level, i find myself saying "if i only had more time..." but it's clear that where my priorities and goals are aligned, i will be successful. speaking of code, do you have a good recommendation for starters?
Sep 22, 2009
Garry Tan said...
I think start with the basics -- assuming a web startup, learn CSS/HTML. Then pick up some Javascript. And PHP or Rails. PHP might be easier, but Rails will be more rewarding for rapid development. It will force you to also learn databases. I swear by books by Sitepoint as well. They have always been easy reads (little jargon, no assumption of knowledge) and ideal to learn from.
Sep 23, 2009
Julius Dietz said...
good point :)
Sep 28, 2009
Matthew Darbro said...
What do you then think of teams? When does trust in what other members of the team bring? I am interested in this idea and I agree with you but as a do it yourselfer, I don't know when to enlist others, I suppose when I am competent in what I would have them do. . .
Oct 01, 2009
Andrew said...
What could you recommend to an MBA with significant programming experience.. still unable to start something up? :)
Oct 02, 2009
John Haydon said...
Gary - this reminds me of the "Done Manifesto" you posted a couple of months ago.
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