Startups don’t take off or don’t. The founders will it to work

The key insight is that startups succeed because the founders drive them to succeed. The founder's determination and actions are crucial in making a startup take off. It is vital to overcome shyness, fear of rejection, and the misconception that big things come from big things. Instead, big accomplishments result from an accumulation of small actions. In the case of Stripe, the founders employed a proactive strategy of onboarding customers immediately upon showing interest, which contributed to their success. The analogy of startups being like engines that founders must manually crank to get going exemplifies the effort and perseverance needed in the initial stages. Once the startup gains momentum, it becomes easier to maintain and grow, similar to a rolling boulder picking up speed. The intensity and dedication with which founders approach one aspect of their startup often extend to other areas, showcasing the importance of consistency and thoroughness in all operations.