The myth of exponential hypergrowth has been a topic of discussion among startup founders and entrepreneurs. Many believe that in order to be successful, a company must experience exponential growth in its early stages. However, this belief is not entirely accurate.

The myth of exponential hypergrowth has been a topic of discussion among startup founders and entrepreneurs. Many believe that in order to be successful, a company must experience exponential growth in its early stages. However, this belief is not entirely accurate.

It is true that startups should focus on creating a product that a small number of users love, rather than trying to appeal to a larger audience. This is because creating a product that is loved by a few users is better than creating a product that is liked by many. The riskiest choice an entrepreneur can make is to continue doing safe and easy work instead of pursuing their passion and ideas.

Another important factor to consider is who actually wants the product. The best ideas may seem bad at first, but they can turn out to be great. Therefore, there is no need to be overly secretive about ideas, as good ideas are not always obvious and can be overlooked by others.

However, if you don't have an idea but still want to start a startup, it is probably not the best decision. It is better to have an idea and then figure out how to bring it to the market through a startup. The qualities of a great founder include determination, decisiveness, shrewdness, intelligence, and passion.

One of the main causes of early startup failure is co-founder disputes. It is important to find good co-founders or be a solo founder, rather than having bad co-founders. If things don't work out, it is important to part ways quickly.

During the Y Combinator program, founders are advised to focus on building the product and talking to users. They don't need to worry about anything else, except for taking care of their health and spending time with loved ones. When there are disagreements within the team, it is best to talk to users to resolve them.

Before taking any action, it is important to ask yourself if it is the best strategy for optimizing growth. The concentration on key metrics by employees has a direct correlation with the success of the company. If these metrics are hidden, it becomes difficult for people to focus on them.

One common pitfall is thinking about how to scale too early. The answer to how to scale should only be considered when the time comes. It is better to focus on creating a product that users love, recruit users one by one, and then try various growth strategies such as advertising, referral programs, sales, and marketing.

In terms of management advice, focus and intensity are key. Find a way to generate 90% of the value with only 10% of the effort, as mentioned by Paul Buchheit. It doesn't matter how hard you work, what matters is whether you are doing the right things.

As a CEO, your responsibilities include determining the company's vision and strategy, evangelizing the company to everyone, hiring and managing the team, ensuring the company has enough funding, and setting goals for achieving objectives.

Being a CEO can be emotionally challenging, and it is important to have a support system of other CEOs who can be there for you during tough times. Taking care of your health, spending time with loved ones, and pursuing a field that you are truly passionate about are also important for long-term success.

Excuses are not a path to success. It is important to find solutions and be known as someone who always gets things done. It is also important to distort reality not for your own sake, but for the sake of others. You need to convince others that your company is becoming the most important startup in the next 10 years. However, you should obsess over every detail and always strive for improvement.

When it comes to hiring, the best advice is not to compromise. Even though everyone knows this, they often end up compromising. This leads to regrets and sometimes crises in the company. Trust your intuition when it comes to hiring. If you have doubts, the answer is no.

Experience is important, but so is talent and a track record of getting things done. Look for people who align with your values and are capable of doing the job, regardless of their experience.

If someone becomes toxic to the company culture, it is important to let them go. Company culture is determined by who you hire, fire, and promote.

Many first-time founders believe that competition is the main reason why 99% of startups fail. However, most startups fail on their own accord. The key is to focus on continuously improving your business, rather than worrying about competition.

Monitoring the company's cash flow is crucial. Many founders have unknowingly run out of funds. It is important to be frugal and not rely on pouring money into the company to solve problems. Having too much funding can also be a problem.

Fundraising should be seen as a necessary evil and should be done as quickly as possible. It is not advisable to become enamored with fundraising, as it can be detrimental to the company. It is best if only one founder is responsible for fundraising to avoid disruptions to the company's operations.

When it comes to sales pitches, it is essential to include the mission, problem, product/service, business model, team, market, market growth rate, and financial situation. These are the minimum requirements for an effective pitch.

Having great board members can be a powerful external force that drives the company forward. It is worth accepting lower valuations if it means having board members who are actively involved in the company.

Finally, it is important to remember that there are many other people with great ideas. The difference lies in execution. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on execution and building a product that customers love.

In conclusion, the myth of exponential hypergrowth in startups is not entirely accurate. Quadratic growth is more realistic, and it is important to focus on building a product that users love and finding effective growth strategies. Hiring the right people, managing cash flow, and having a strong board of directors are also key factors for success. It is important to stay focused, trust your intuition, and always strive for improvement.