[mibbitier]

I think perhaps you're the wrong audience.

The advice is great for bootstrapped businesses who are looking to get profitable. It's probably not so great for "raising a round" venture backed "startups" who are playing the startup lottery.

If you're building a business, then being broke is a pretty great incentive to make things work.

[richardjordan]

I understand what you're saying, though i think the characterization of startups as a lottery is a mistake. There is some luck involved with startups but smarts and execution count far more. But for lifestyle businesses too I just don't buy the argument that being broke is a great asset. It just makes it more likely you'll fail. Ask anyone who's tried opening a store or a restaurant. It's better to take a job and save some $$ before starting and having some runway. If the writer is going for the narrower case of a consulting or contracting business then founder is misleading, or at least being used in a very different way than most HNers are using it.