Comments on: Don’t Let The Bastards Grind You Down

By: Brice

Brice — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:08:10 +0000

In my estimation, honest thoughtful critiques that provoke and run counter to your thinking are tremendously valuable. While I hope the young man proves you wrong with his idea, I hope that he listened and triangulated his knowledge with yours. If I can't explain my idea intelligibly to a regular person on the street - chances are that I am going to have a tough time executing.

By: New Comm Biz » My 3 Favorite VC Bloggers

New Comm Biz » My 3 Favorite VC Bloggers — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:32:15 +0000

[...] Don’t Let The Bastards Grind You Down | Highway 12 Ventures “Who the hell do you think I am to tell you that your business won’t be successful?” [...]

By: Mark Solon

Mark Solon — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:43:45 +0000

“The '60s are gone, dope will never be as cheap, sex never as free, and the rock and roll never as great.” - Abbie Hoffman

By: Mark Solon

Mark Solon — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:42:37 +0000

kind words Elli and something all investors should remember. i try to never forget that the entrepreneurs are the stars of this play and investors are only supporting actors…

By: Mark Solon

Mark Solon — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:41:18 +0000

I think it's important to set expectations Kevin and I'm glad to see you've adopted the same philosophy. Now, if we can do one thing to help each entrepreneur that approaches us, we're really doing our jobs!

By: Mark Solon

Mark Solon — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:35:03 +0000

i find it funny how money is so rarely the motivator for entrepreneurs pete…

By: Elli StGeorgeGodfrey

Elli StGeorgeGodfrey — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:11:41 +0000

I discovered this post after reading Jon Cook's one about you. Frequently, I work with novice entrepreneurs who feel the need to "bend this like this and act like that" and give naysayers way too much power. It seems easy to give VC's and investors a 1-up position because of their experience and knowledge. You give entrepreneurs such a gift by telling them why their idea is not your "thing." They can go pitch to the right person or figure out how to bootstrap and see the idea all the way through.

By: Kevin Learned

Kevin Learned — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:11:15 +0000

Mark, a slightly different twist–I've told entrepreneurs that what they will get from an institution (e.g Highway 12 or the Boise Angel Fund) is an answer. And typically they won't want the answer, but a rapid no with some explanation is so much better than a maybe which is highly unlikely to turn into a yes. Kevin

By: Adam Zochowski

Adam Zochowski — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:49:20 +0000

1985 — "" Nolite te bastardes carborundorum (Don't let the bastards grind you down). "" — Margaret Atwood in Handsmaid Tale

By: Pete Warden

Pete Warden — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:45:47 +0000

That post really resonated, thanks Mark. 'Adding fuel to the fire' is my favorite part, I'm definitely motivated to succeed partly by a desire to prove the naysayers wrong!