"There’s a misconception that just because a VC or “angel” throws cash your way, hoping that you’re the next Zucks, that your startup is going to be successful."

"But that’s not how it works. It’s the market that decides what works and what doesn’t."

"Those that fell face-flat because they focused on building a toy on top of VC money rather than building an actual revenue-generating business? Where’s that discussion?"

"Too many “entrepreneurs” these days are focusing their day-to-day trying to raise their next round, siphoning their own equity out of the business to artificially inflate their company’s valuation rather than focusing on what’s actually important: Building a sustainable business."

"They’re acting as financial arbitrage machines, not actual businesses. And that’s a problem."

"You know what’s a disruptive idea? Building an actual business that has investors coming to you, not you chasing them."

"When I started VaynerMedia I didn’t take any outside investment and, to this day, I continue to run on thin margins. Why? Because I’ve built, and continue to build an actual business."

"Why can I do that? Because I’m patient."

"So all I ask is that we reframe the discussion being had around entrepreneurship."

"No promise that VC funding will make your “earth-shattering” idea successful. There’s just the truth. And that’s hard work."