Comments on: Entrepreneurs are worried, but some are not worried enough

A quick survey reveals overconfidence among CEOs at start-ups. A little more fear might help more young companies survive the tanking economy.

[onlyauser]

So we should just curl up in a little ball and BE AFRAID, VERY AFRAID. IDIOTIC ARTICLE!!! Knowing the risk is one thing but FEAR is another and FEAR is only useless. Nothing is wrong with feeling energized or confident regarding established businesses or start-ups --- EVER. Failure is ALWAYs in the cards (duh) but FEAR only has a place with cowards. BUSINESS MUST GO ON. Entrepreneurs that are not full of FEAR are the people that will drag us out of the economic dump. Idiotic article. How do you live with your frightened little self Rafe Needleman?

[youmon]

Most entrepreneurs I know do not fold their cards very easily. So your survey results are not surprising. In fact, they are reassuring since you want the entrepreneurs of the world to move mountains. And we certainly have mountains to move.

In reality, entrepreneurs feel both energized and scared (if the survey allowed multiple choices, it would have probably shown it). Our optimistic and determined side says "Onward." Our pragmatic side causes us to count our pennies.

[davemc500hats]

good followup rafe... i wasn't trying to say startups shouldn't have SOME fear & concern, just that the recent posts by VCs are a little too self-serving (aka 30% prudent caution, 70% *NEGOTIATION* for the next slate of startups they talk to).

i'd agree that 6 months of cash ain't much, particularly if you're a later stage startup that hasn't figured out a business model.

on the other hand, if you're a brand-spanking new startup, 6 months of funding may be all you have raised... and if you don't come up with something interesting, well hey -- thanks for playing and please get your ass to the back of the line.

entrepreneurs are by nature risk-takers. the current environment is a LITTLE more risky than it was 30 days ago, but not THAT much more risky... unless of course, you're a company with more than 15-25 employees who hasn't figured out a biz model. and that my friend, is a dicey company to be in no matter what kind of market we're experiencing.

all other issues aside -- the basics remain the same:

1) build a good / useful / unique product
2) go get some customers (who stick)
3) figure out how to make money

SSDD.