The Dream That Turned Into a Tornado
Let’s rewind the tape. Imagine me, fresh out of my job, starry-eyed and caffeinated, sitting at a wobbly coffee shop table sketching out “the next big thing.” I had a startup idea, some savings, a few friends ready to hustle, and zero clue what was coming.
Fast forward a few years: we had wins, losses, a few panic attacks, and a LOT of learning. If I had a time machine (or just someone to whisper “stop!” at key moments), here’s what I’d do differently.
Whether you’re just starting out or mid-pivot, this is for you — so you don’t have to make the same mistakes I did.
1. I Wouldn’t Obsess Over The Idea
Mistake: Treating the idea like the Holy Grail
I thought the startup idea was everything. I guarded it like it was the formula for Coca-Cola. I even made friends sign NDAs over coffee.
Fix: Focus on Execution, Not Ideation
Ideas are cheap. Execution is gold-plated. What matters is solving a real, painful problem and moving fast with a lean, test-and-learn mindset. Now, I’d launch a rough MVP in 2 weeks, not 6 months, and let real users tell me what works.
2. I’d Spend More Time Finding the Right Co-Founder
Mistake: Starting With Friends, Not Founders
I started with buddies because, well, they were around. But friendship doesn’t always translate to startup chemistry.
Fix: Date Before You Marry (Yes, Even in Startups)
If I were doing it again, I’d “co-founder date” — work on small projects together, disagree, problem-solve — before diving into equity splits and legal docs. Compatibility in work styles and values is everything.
3. I Wouldn’t Build a Fancy Product Right Away
Mistake: Burning Cash to Build Something ‘Beautiful’
We spent 6 months making a pixel-perfect product. Guess what? Hardly anyone cared.
Fix: Validate Ugly
An ugly landing page with a “Buy Now” button that no one clicks is a million times more valuable than a polished app nobody wants. I’d use no-code tools, email lists, and Google Forms to test demand before writing a single line of code.
4. I’d Start With a Smaller, Niche Audience
Mistake: Trying to Please Everyone
Our target market was basically “everyone with a smartphone.” Spoiler: we ended up pleasing no one.
Fix: Go Deep, Not Wide
I’d start with a niche that I understand — dog trainers in Austin, indie game devs, Etsy sellers — and build something hyper-specific. Niches love you back. And they grow organically.
5. I’d Build in Public From Day One
Mistake: Keeping It All a Secret
We thought stealth mode was cool. But we missed out on buzz, feedback, and early fans.
Fix: Share The Journey
Building in public isn’t just trendy — it’s strategic. I’d post on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Reddit — sharing behind-the-scenes, mistakes, wins. Community = accountability + users + support.
6. I’d Care Way More About Customer Retention Than Growth
Mistake: Chasing Vanity Metrics
We celebrated every new signup like it was Christmas. But we never checked if they stuck around.
Fix: Obsess Over Retention
Retention is the real product-market fit signal. I’d track how many users come back in week 2, week 4. If they don’t return, something’s broken.
7. I’d Hire Slow, Fire Faster
Mistake: Hiring in Panic
We overhired during a growth spurt — and paid for it later. Bad fits drain energy.
Fix: Culture Over CV
Now, I’d interview for values and growth mindset, not just skills. And I’d let go of people faster if it’s not working — kindly, but clearly.
8. I’d Raise Money Later — Or Maybe Never
Mistake: Chasing Investors Too Early
We spent months pitching with half a product and no traction. It hurt.
Fix: Bootstrap Until It Hurts (Then Some)
If I had to do it again, I’d focus on revenue early. Paying customers are the best investors. And when (or if) I raise, I’d do it on my terms, not desperation.
9. I’d Prioritize Mental Health Over Hustle
Mistake: Burnout as a Badge
All-nighters, caffeine crashes, anxiety spirals. I thought it was normal.
Fix: Build a Life, Not Just a Company
If I could redo it, I’d take more breaks, meditate, say no more often. Your startup can’t grow if you’re falling apart. A healthy founder is a better leader.
10. I’d Document Everything
Mistake: Keeping It All In My Head
Processes? SOPs? Huh?
Fix: Clone Yourself Through Docs
Now, I’d document onboarding, code structure, customer support replies — everything. So when you scale or hire, you don’t have to explain things 15 times.
11. I’d Talk to Customers Every. Single. Week.
Mistake: Assuming I Knew What They Wanted
We “guessed” features based on what we thought users wanted. Bad call.
Fix: Weekly Customer Calls
Even 10 minutes with real users can unlock huge insights. I’d schedule user interviews weekly, build based on real problems, and close the feedback loop.
12. I’d Celebrate Small Wins More Often
Mistake: Waiting For ‘The Big Milestone’
We ignored small victories — like first paying customer, good review, or launch day.
Fix: Micro-Celebrations
Now, I’d high-five the team (virtually or IRL) for every inch of progress. Momentum matters, especially in the early stages.
Would I Do It All Over Again?
Honestly? Heck yes.
Despite the chaos, the startup rollercoaster is still the most intense, character-building, creative journey I’ve ever taken. But if I could go back, I’d lead with clarity, focus, and kindness — to the product, the users, and myself.
If you’re just starting out, remember: the goal isn’t to avoid all mistakes — it’s to learn faster than your competitors do.
So go build, but build wisely. And maybe, just maybe, skip a few of the scars I earned the hard way.