(2010-08-26) Fitzpatrick Business Model Founder Values Conflict

Rob Fitzpatrick on the potential mismatch between a Start Up's Business Model and its founders' Value-s. Startups function best when the stuff that makes you happy is also good for business. Knowing what worked for someone who cares about the same things as you is a solid head start... I sometimes meet Fast Company-style founders with Thirty7 Signals-style products and business models... Their next two years will be frustrating! They will overvalue investment and undervalue blog subscribers... It's worth occasionally re-considering what your business model is really all about. When your competitors are trying to eat you and you need to stretch your runway beyond any reasonable limit, everything outside the core (Fo Cus) is going to get cut. If the part of the business you loved is on the periphery, you're liable to lose it when things are already at their worst. Pivot-s are a chance to re-connect with your reason for starting the company. Sometimes it's right to pivot around your customers, and other times you may need to pivot on yourself... The goal, which I think is something founders should ideally resolve before employees and equity-holders begin limiting your maneuvering room, is to be able to stop saying "This is a good idea" and start saying "I love doing this." Your business will be better for it.