[timr]

Let me make this simple for you: you will not get rich by 30.

I know, I know...there are examples! And yes, there are, but statistically, they won't be you. You're playing the lottery, only it's a lottery that steals your youth and gives you psychological problems.

If your only goal is to get rich, then don't do a startup. You have to have some more fundamental reason, or the agony will beat you.

[mikert89]

I live in NYC, I have met alot of very rich startup founders. But not only that, lots of people making 50k a month from a startup they built post YC, raised no VC, and have no boss.

Its an outdated take to think people arent doing this

[timr]

Sure. Google "selection bias". You aren't meeting the 10,000 who failed.

I also live in NYC. I lived in SF, during possibly the all-time greatest period of wealth creation in the last 50 years. I knew billionaires when they couldn't afford bar tabs. I ate leftover boxes of Obama-Os (again, Google it) that nobody wanted.

I'm still telling you the truth. Every one of those people who succeeded went through hell and back, and even then there was no guarantee that there was a reward at the end of the hell. Doing a startup is like getting punched in the face repeatedly for many, many years, with only your faith -- in something -- to carry you forward. You have to have more than just a desire to be rich.

[aliston]

Wait, are you saying the Obama O’s story - that the 500 boxes sold out, saving AirBnb - is not totally true?

[timr]

Well, they definitely had a lot of Cap’n McCains left over, and we also had more than a few boxes of Obama O’s inside JTV. We would eat them as office snacks.

I was told that we were given them, but maybe they were surplus? Either way, real boxes.

[mikert89]

You dont have to create a billion dollar company. Especially after raising VC and failing, its much clearer how to build a business. Very reasonable to think a smart hard working person can build a company making 1M a year. Life owning a company that makes even a moderate amount is 1000x better than a career. I think your analysis is outdated

[MegaButts]

If it's 1000x better than a career and you believe it's achievable, why haven't you done it yet?

[mikert89]

why do you think i havent

[MegaButts]

It seems like you would've mentioned your own success rather than those around you when talking about how feasible it is. It's a lot easier to say something is achievable when you've done it yourself.

And again, I think you would've simply responded "I have" rather than ask me what I think. Obviously I could be wrong.

[htrp]

You live in NYC.... there are a lot of "startup founders" who already come from generational family wealth

[charlie0]

Are you trying to tell me those who take the most risk already have a safety net?!