Starting up a company is not easy.  You’ve got to be an endurance runner to make it to the end of the race.  Coming up with a great idea and getting a team together is just the first step in what can be a 7+ year trek to going public.

Along the way, you’ll have to cope with all sorts of tough questions, including the following:

  • Do you pick a small problem to solve or a big one?
  • What goals do you set?
  • Who funds your company at the beginning of the race?
  • If no one funds you, do you just start building?
  • What do you do if the Beta is crappy?
  • How do you get traction with users?
  • Once you’re lucky enough to have traction, what investors do you invite onboard?
  • Should you keep your product/service free?
  • How do you best monetize your product/service?
  • Should you sell your company or go for the IPO?