Anarchy & the Start-up

 Here is an excellent article on business start up, again with the comments section instructive.

What’s the most important step an entrepreneur can take to create a startup community?Just do stuff. It’s kind of that simple. It’s literally entrepreneurs just starting to do things. If you’re in a city where there’s no clear startup community, the goal is not raise a bunch of money to fund a nonprofit, the goal is not get your government involved. The goal is start finding the other entrepreneurial leaders who are committed to being in your city over the next 20 years. Then, as a group, get very focused on knowing each other, working together, being inclusive of anyone else who wants to engage, doing things that help recruit people to that geography, and doing selfish stuff for your company that also drives your startup community.

One of the commenters laments that the subject's focus is on software start-ups, yes...  we need to think in terms of every kind of business.  Kaufman is touting Feld as well...

Feld says sustainable entrepreneurial communities must have: Two types of people: leaders (entrepreneurs) and feeders (people who support startups, such as government agencies, funders, service providers). While the "feeders" are the very fabric of the community, the entrepreneurs must be in the lead. A long-term view and commitment to building this community A philosophy of inclusiveness that welcomes everyone with an interest, not just entrepreneurs Substantive activities that engage the entire community to help startups move forward ...

Here is the offending comment...

importance of business culture ... of the startup ecosystem, such as banks that will lend to startups ...as well as accontants and lawyers willing to defer fees.

No startup in the history of mankind has needed banks, accountants or lawyers.  they only need customers.  This is an example done during the serial banking, dotcom and stock booms of the last thirty years.  There are would-be entrepreneurs hanging on with an EBT card lamenting that business startup is not like an EBT card.  There is no need for lawyers, accountants and CPAs to get started.  Just get started.

See what they are doing in Detroit...

“For all intents and purposes, there is no government here,” said Willerer, 43, checking the greens and other crops he is growing on an acre off Rosa Parks Boulevard, across from an abandoned house with broken windows. “If something were to happen we have to handle that ourselves.”

You can too.

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