Shane Mac on Warpcast

Shane Mac pfp

Here’s a note I shared with our team a year ago at XMTP Labs about where we are at as a startup. Something I still think about today but I thought I’d share it with the world. Love any feedback. https://blog.shanemac.com/more-startups-die-from-indigestion-than-starvation/

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Tbf, having a big vision is ok, just be flexible and ready to accommodate the right strategy. What are you supposed to do if your goal doesn't fit the niche? Drop everything and start anew targeting that niche? Not really, you pivot slightly to accommodate that niche but keep your big vision at the same time.

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Picnic pfp

Wow. Thanks for writing this. The most striking piece for me is that competition makes it difficult to see clearly. Learning to be zen in the face of everything competitors are doing to try to get a piece of what’s working, & to make the right non-reactionary shifts is HARD. How do you frame it for yourself?

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Vova 🎩 pfp

This hits hard: “if we have to ask, the answer is that they probably don’t [love it], yet”.

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@spencermarell.eth

This was really insightful and well written, thank you for putting this together and sharing it publicly Shane!

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erica pfp

Wow this was an insightful read to say the least. Resonated a lot with the philosophy on my teams I’m very glad to say - it’s important to reign in focus until you have your core selling point/user base clearly defined. This part gave me a good chuckle: “Have you ever said you want money? You’re welcome.”

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b3nnn pfp

💯 man. How do you think you’ve gone this last year?

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Justin Hunter pfp

@polluterofminds

This is so good and honest. “Our platform does so much more" might be the language to realize you're going to die as a startup.” This is a hard lesson to learn unless you’ve experienced it. Thanks for sharing this post.

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kugusha 🦋 pfp

“Being open and honest about our current reality while being insanely optimistic about our opportunity” - this is golden. Appreciate you telling an honest story. It’ll help so many people 🙏

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@edricnguyen.eth

"Speed, not Money" brings to mind an essay that really resonates with me, written by Paul Graham. I wanted to express my gratitude for your courageous sharing of your failures. Your article is truly inspiring. http://paulgraham.com/startuplessons.html

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itarutomy.eth pfp

Amazing objectivity and courage. While gaining initial empathy, it's difficult to find a market where we can continue to receive empathy. Thank you for the good blog.

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Philip Milestone

@philipmilestone.eth

This was also my experience with my first startup, boo.com back in 1999 before I became a lawyer. Boo was to be an instantly global marketplace but built a frontend few could access. I was flotsam on that ride but it’s a lesson that’s stuck and still informs my counsel to projects.

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1st Born Unicorn pfp

1st Born Unicorn

Great story, I can relate somehow! Thnx for sharing. I also used xmtp this summer, was great experience! Hoped that farcaster used it building this dapp, however seems like they went a different route

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Nounish Prof ⌐◧-◧🎩

WOW! This has so much great meat!! This really needs a wider audience. Thanks for sharing the struggles, not just the successes. We learn more from the former.

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Mr. Wildenfree 🐺🍵🎵 pfp

Mr. Wildenfree 🐺🍵🎵

Excellent read Shane! Definitely a few quarrels in there as a few others mentioned lol. Once I got a grasp on what XMTP is aiming to achieve, I quickly became an advocate. As I was reading, I also understood that killing the app would likely be a better outcome for you all to service the developer base more.

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James Finnerty pfp

“Build smaller and better to go bigger.” I like that. Great article Shane, thanks for sharing.

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Nounish Prof ⌐◧-◧🎩 pfp

Nounish Prof ⌐◧-◧🎩

Hey @mb37 @ava2021 @dr-jaylo @colecrider — this is a great read to share with students!

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Christian pfp

Short but packed, great advice for founders everywhere. In many ways, having too much capital before PMF can be more of a curse than a blessing (of course what “too much” is depends on what you’re building).

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McBain pfp

Tattoo this on my forehead Build smaller and better to go bigger. It's counterintuitive but it's critical. Until the specific thing you're building is loved by people, don't do anything else. If it isn't really working, kill it before you expand it. - Robert Stephens, Founder Geeksquad

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