Why is it important to be excited about your startup idea?

It's equally hard to succeed in a startup you don't care about as one you do. Working on something you're excited about, even audacious ideas, increases your chances of perseverance through inevitable setbacks and makes the journey more enjoyable.

Can you build excitement for a startup idea over time?

Yes, you can build excitement by working on the idea on the side. If spending time on it feels fun and entertaining, that's a good sign. Positive feedback from others recognizing and appreciating your work can also increase your excitement.

What is the core advice for convincing people to join your startup?

The fundamental advice is to first convince yourself. If you don't believe in your idea and aren't fully committed, others won't either. Your conviction and passion are key to attracting co-founders, employees, and customers.

How does self-conviction help a startup overcome challenges?

Deeply held conviction in your startup's mission and your team's desire to work together allows you to overcome almost any setback. This includes running out of money, pivoting the idea, or losing team members.

Key Moments

How Do You Convince Someone to Join Your Startup? - Dalton Caldwell

Y Combinator

Science & Technology4 min read6 min video

Aug 9, 2019|65,255 views|1,617|50

YC Y Combinator Dalton Caldwell How Do You Convince Someone to Join Your Startup YC Partner YC Advice imeem Mixed Media Labs

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Key Moments

TL;DR

To convince others to join your startup, you must first be deeply convinced yourself. Unwavering enthusiasm for your idea is crucial as belief fuels resilience through inevitable setbacks.

Key Insights

If you don't have grave doubts about your idea or its worth, you can convince others to join you. Your commitment will show.

Excitement for a startup idea is a good sign, evidenced by an inability to stop thinking about it and difficulty sleeping.

Teams that deeply believe in their work are more likely to overcome setbacks, pivot, or survive financial difficulties.

It appears to be equally difficult to succeed in a startup you don't care about as one you do care about.

You can build excitement over time by working on an idea on the side and observing positive feedback loops.

Success in entrepreneurship is more likely if you pursue audacious ideas or things you are genuinely excited about, rather than incremental ones.

The foundational requirement: self-conviction

The absolute first step to convincing anyone to join your startup—be it a co-founder, your first employees, or even early customers—is to wholeheartedly convince yourself. If you harbor significant doubts about your idea's viability or its worthiness of pursuit, that lack of conviction will be palpable to others. People can sense when you don't genuinely believe in what you're doing. Conversely, if you possess a fervent belief, a 'fire' that tells you you're onto something truly valuable, this internal conviction becomes your most powerful tool for persuasion. Your confidence will naturally radiate outwards, making it significantly easier to attract others to your vision. This core belief is the bedrock upon which all external persuasion is built.

Recognizing genuine conviction

How do you know if you're truly convinced? Dalton Caldwell points to a powerful internal signal: the idea that consumes your thoughts, preventing sleep and dominating your mental landscape. This kind of idée fixe is a strong indicator that you've stumbled upon a startup concept with the necessary magnetism and drive to sustain you through the long haul. If, on the other hand, you find yourself immediately cynical, negative, or unenthusiastic about an idea, it's a clear sign that you are not yet convinced of its potential or your own passion for it. This internal resonance is key.

The resilience that belief provides

Caldwell frequently observes a pattern in Y Combinator companies: teams that don't secretly believe in their mission often falter when they inevitably hit rough patches. And every startup encounters difficulties. However, teams with a deep, unshakeable conviction are far more resilient. They can overcome immense challenges, whether it's running out of money and finding a way to survive, needing to execute a complete pivot in their business model, or facing the departure of key team members. This profound belief isn't just about the idea itself; it often extends to a commitment to keep working together and to keep the startup alive. This internal fortitude, stemming from a core belief in 'why' they are doing what they're doing, enables founders to persevere through almost any obstacle.

Why caring about your work matters

The labor involved in succeeding with a startup seems to be equally demanding, whether you are passionate about the venture or not. Similarly, tackling an audacious, groundbreaking idea appears to present a similar level of difficulty as pursuing something highly incremental and unexciting. Given this parity in difficulty, the logical conclusion is to wholeheartedly pursue the more audacious idea or the project that genuinely ignites your excitement. The underlying rationale is that if the effort is the same, wouldn't you rather invest that effort in something that brings you joy and sustained motivation? Your excitement acts as a powerful catalyst, not only for your own endurance but also for your ability to inspire and persuade others.

Building excitement through action

It's possible to cultivate excitement over time, especially if you're not yet sure about an idea. Caldwell suggests that working on an idea on the side can be an excellent way to gauge and develop your passion. This experimental phase allows you to discern whether spending more time on the project feels like fun and entertainment, rather than arduous work. The positive feedback loop generated by putting something out into the world and receiving external recognition and appreciation can significantly amplify your enthusiasm. This external validation can be a powerful data point, prompting you to take your side project or initial idea more seriously and fueling further commitment.

The dual benefit of passion-driven ventures

Choosing to work on something you are deeply excited about, even at the potential expense of ideas that seem easier to fund or more commercially viable on the surface, is a strategic imperative. This approach is encouraged because genuine passion acts as a built-in resilience mechanism. When challenges arise—and they invariably do—founders who are truly invested in their mission are far less likely to give up. They possess a deeper wellspring of motivation to push through adversity, pivot when necessary, and ultimately increase their chances of survival and long-term success. The excitement you feel is not just a personal perk; it’s a vital ingredient for entrepreneurial endurance.

Convincing Others to Join Your Startup

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Be fully committed to your idea and its worth.

Show genuine passion and fire for your venture.

Work on something you are deeply excited about and obsessed with.

Consider audacious ideas over incremental ones if equally difficult.

Build excitement by working on your idea on the side and seeking feedback.

Listen to external feedback loops that validate your project.

Believe in your fellow co-founders and the desire to work together.

Avoid This

Doubt your own idea or its potential.

Appear cynical or negative about your venture.

Choose an idea solely because it's easier to raise money or impress others.

Give up when facing rough patches or setbacks.

Treat working on your startup as a chore or unwanted task.

Choose a destination you are ambivalent about when traveling a long distance.

Common Questions

You know you're convinced when an idea consumes your thoughts, leading to sleepless nights. If you're immediately cynical or not excited, it's a sign you haven't convinced yourself yet. Work on something you're genuinely passionate about.