Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on Seattle 2.0, and imported to GeekWire as part of our acquisition of Seattle 2.0 and its archival content. For more background, see this post.

By Andy Sack

  1. Capital is not the constraint
  2. KISS  — Keep it simple stupid)
  3. GFA  — Be or get fucking aggressive)
  4. Two critical #’s to remember: Customer acquisition cost and Life Time Value
  5. The customer has the answer — Talk to customers when thinking of a service or product or company. And then talk to more customers.
  6. Competition doesn’t kill companies — internal combustion and conflict does. Early in the life of a startup the real battles are keeping on the same page and rowing in the same direction.
  7. Avoid the rush to nowhere — Urgency and rushing overcomes entrepreneurs. They make hasty decisions and start building too fast. Do your research. Be thoughtful and urgent.
  8. Beware of shiny objects distraction — I’ve noticed, in myself and others, a tendency to look for easy solutions in new features and new strategies. Avoid these distractions. Stay focused. Pay attention to rule #9.
  9. Focus on 1st market longer than you think – Critical mass is key and many entrepreneurs are too quick to move to a second market before truly winning in their first market.
  10. Minimum 5 years to create anything of real value – when you start a company you should plan on it taking 5 years to create anything of real value.
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