What I Learnt Building Gloo in 2018 (Thread)
1.) An investor that REALLY wants to partner with you will move mountains to partner with you. If that investor won’t do what they need to do in order to make that investment in you/back you up, they REALLY don’t want to. They just lying to you—or to themselves.
2.) Once you are cashflow positive, the smartest money with which to grow a technology startup is good debt—just as it is with any other business. Debt keeps you disciplined/focused on what counts most to a business—cashflow. Plus, you keep your equity to yourself and your team!
3.) Don’t believe that bullshit that Nigerian banks don’t do unsecured/clean credits. Some do! If you have what they require to do it, they’ll do it. Interestingly, some WANT to do it! (We got 2 of such uncollateralized lines ~$1million from 2 Naija banks this year!)
4.) Don’t leave avenues for people to f*ck you. If you do, you will definitely get f*cked. Trust, but ALWAYS verify. If you don’t know enough to not get f*cked, internalize the lessons from your mistakes and don’t get f*cked twice. Life is too short.
5.) ALWAYS set ambitious goals! Then, work yourself up into the mindset that achievement of those goals are inevitable. Then, find out things that need to happen for the goals to hit. Then, chase those things w/ ALL your execution focus. Then, watch Life’s Force rally behind you.
6.) Be absolutely jealous and ABSOLUTELY unapologetic in the way you protect your time, energy and attention (TEA). You’re not anybody’s God. You don’t want anything and/or anyone that vitiate your TEA near you or in your mind space. Only do things that allow you to compound TEA.
7.) It takes a village to build a big business. Just be clear which part of the village you focus on engaging w/. Don’t waste your time w/ anyone/group in the village that’s not a king maker, or lacks what it takes to be 1, or won’t play that role actively on your behalf,🖕them!
8.) Dreams do come true—even in this hell that is Nigeria. Be supply-conscious: there is nothing that you need that is too good for you. There’s no such thing! If you NEED it, you will find it!
9.) Find a place, a thing, a person, anything, that resets you from this madness that doing startups in Nigeria is. Make it an habit to retreat to this place, thing or person regularly, to replenish your reserves and rebuild your resolve/perspective.
10.) Ma wo ago alago sare. (Only race against your own God-appointed time.) Have faith in your path, have faith in your own journey. How you start or how long before you get there doesn’t matter—just get there! Just win!
