[AVTizzle]

"I would not try to discourage anyone from giving it a go"

That's the ticket right there.

When friends and friends-of-friends have expressed a curiosity into startups, I treat them with the same respect I would hope for. Very clear - forceful even - about the risks and challenges of entrepreneurship, and very, very critical about ideas (but always with the "...but who am I?" disclaimer). But overall, I try and default to being supportive and encouraging.

It's not charity either. There are absolutely selfish benefits behind being supportive. Like Guy Kawasaki or Keith Ferrazzi would point out - the more helpful you are, the more valuable your network. It's impossible to quantify, but being supportive early on is just the best thing for everyone involved.

[jack-r-abbit]

yes... which is why I also had the part about being smart about it. sometimes a bad idea really is just a bad idea. ;)