There are different paths to success in the building of a startup, and it’s important to choose the one that aligns with your goals and values. Do you want to build the biggest business possible, or do you want to build a business you’re proud of and want to continue working at?

Part of what prevents people from starting their own software company is the pervasiveness of a singular popular narrative: the idea that money is the primary reason to do so. That the way to make software profitable is to scale, and the way to scale is to get investment from VCs. Software, for better or for worse, plays an increasingly primary... See more

How I would choose my next startup idea:

1. It must be a product in a growing market. Startups can take years or even decades to fully develop, don’t risk creating an amazing product just to have the user base dry up.

2. The value of the product must increase over time. For example, as you upload more to a social media platform and make more friends,... See more