Playing Startup: Common Mistakes in Entrepreneurship

Tabe of Contents

• Playing Startup
• The Trap of Administrative Tasks
• Hiring Distractions
• Premature Incorporation
• Website Issues
• The Logo Obsession
• Analysis Paralysis
• My Two Cents
• Final Thoughts
• More Practical Resources

Playing Startup

Starting a business can feel like a daunting task. Entrepreneurs often get caught up in a whirlwind of activities, believing they need to perfect every detail from day one. I felt the same when I launched my first startup. I wanted everything to be flawless, but in doing so, I learned some hard lessons.

This article is aimed at first-time founders. Whether you're just brainstorming your business idea or already deep in development, knowing these pitfalls can help you avoid common mistakes and build a strong foundation for your startup. Aim for progress over perfection, and remember that every mistake is a chance to learn.

The Trap of Administrative Tasks

One of my biggest mistakes was getting bogged down by administrative tasks 😧. I invested a lot of time and money in drafting a sweat equity agreement. I thought it was crucial for the business because a friend was working for me. However, as it turned out, my friend never did any presentable work. Eventually, I had to replace him with a development agency. In hindsight, focusing on building the product and figuring out marketing strategies would have been a better use of my time.

Shaan Puri, a successful entrepreneur, shares a similar sentiment. He says, “I’m guilty of this mistake. My first company, I spent a ton of time doing things that SOUND important (but actually are a waste of time). Things like ‘talking to lawyers,’ recruiting advisors, company culture, etc. It all SOUNDS important (but really isn’t for early-stage startups). I call this ‘playing startup’ (like when kids play house). Avoid this trap. Instead - find your one key metric (users or revenue) and push relentlessly after it.” (Source: Shaan’s 5 Tweet Tuesday).

Hiring Distractions

Hiring my first intern was another lesson in misplaced priorities 🙄. I spent more time drafting an employment contract than focusing on marketing campaigns with the intern. We talked more about his contract than about marketing-related tasks. The goal should have been clear from the beginning—growth and user acquisition.

Premature Incorporation

Incorporating a company too soon was another costly mistake🤦‍♂️. Without a clear understanding of product management, marketing, or running a business, I found myself drowning in accounting-related costs. These costs took a significant toll on my finances and caused many sleepless nights. Incorporation should come after nailing down your business model, achieving product-market fit, and having a revenue generation strategy in place.

Website Issues

Not knowing how to set up a website led me down another annoying rabbit hole 🕳️. I spent a lot of time and money trying to find the right freelancer. Unfortunately, some of the freelancers I worked with were mediocre and unprofessional, which only added to my headaches. In the early stages, prioritizing a functional product over a polished website can save you both time and money.

The Logo Obsession

I also spent too much money on getting a new logo for a website that didn’t even exist yet. Nobody cares about your logo (nobody cares about your startup anyway…), especially in the beginning. People won’t do business with you just because you have a nice logo. Focus on building a product that people need and want.

Analysis Paralysis

Analysis paralysis is your worst enemy. Overthinking every decision can stall your progress. Sometimes, it's better to make a decision and learn from your mistakes than to remain stuck in inaction.

My Two Cents

Here are my two cents to help you avoid the same mistakes I made:

1. Focus on building and promoting your product or service first, before worrying about admin stuff.
2. Avoid getting lost in legal matters: It's good to have legal papers ready, but don't spend too much time on them. Use templates if you can and focus on growing your business.
3. When hiring, look for growth roles: Make sure to focus on roles and tasks that help with growth and success, rather than getting stuck in formalities.
4. Delay incorporation: Hold off on incorporating your company until your business model, product-market fit, and revenue plans are more settled.
5. Go after one main metric: Pick one crucial metric that's linked to the business's success, like user growth or revenue.
6. Keep an eye on what you're doing: If what you're doing is helping the business grow and make money, great, if not adapt asap. Adjust your focus as needed or pull the plug where needed.

Final Thoughts

Starting a business is super hard. You build, mess up, and sometimes have to start over. But every mistake teaches you something valuable and gets you closer to success. Don't fall into the "playing startup" trap—focus on what really matters for growth. Take Shaan Puri’s advice and keep pushing towards your key metric. If you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, or even an MBA student wanting to start a new business, take these lessons to heart. Learn from my slip-ups, focus on what's important, and steer clear of unnecessary distractions.

More Practical Resources

• Next steps for entrepreneurs after creating a solid business plan.