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1/ The story of The Hare 
& the Tortoise 
( http://read.gov/aesop/025.html ) is very relevant to startups. The moral of the story is: `The race is not always to the swift`
& the Tortoise ( http://read.gov/aesop/025.html ) is very relevant to startups. The moral of the story is: `The race is not always to the swift`
2/ VCs are often attracted to the the Hare . Traction, momentum, growth rate are what gets most investors' eyes to open up and pay attention. The new bright shiny startup that's growing really fast. Some of them turn out to be like fireworks 
.
. Traction, momentum, growth rate are what gets most investors' eyes to open up and pay attention. The new bright shiny startup that's growing really fast. Some of them turn out to be like fireworks .
3/ Unless they spot a Tortoise that's been making steady progress, is now close to the finish line, and it's clear that it's going to be a winner in its category (think @UiPath, founded 2005 and @Shopify, founded 2004).
that's been making steady progress, is now close to the finish line, and it's clear that it's going to be a winner in its category (think @UiPath, founded 2005 and @Shopify, founded 2004).
4/ But most successful startups are not Hares . They are Tortoises . The ones that just kept on putting one step forward -- making an incremental amount of progress every day. Being persistent, with their tortoise shell bearing the brunt of all the hard knocks along the way.
. They are Tortoises . The ones that just kept on putting one step forward -- making an incremental amount of progress every day. Being persistent, with their tortoise shell bearing the brunt of all the hard knocks along the way.
5/ Most "successful companies" are considered overnight successes. But few are actual overnight successes. It's just that their eventual growth rate start to dominate over the long build up that it took to get there. (quote image below from: https://www.azquotes.com/quote/492771 )
6/ The `slow and steady` part of their growth curve is often long and arduous, but it gets dwarfed quickly once the compounding effects kick in.
7/ I've seen this w/lots of companies that are today considered successful - including @everlaw, @auth0, @cartainc & more. Also seeing similar pattern w/ @HiHello. Here is what HiHello's growth curve look like over the last 2 years. Not where I want to be (yet), but getting there!
8/ To all founders out there who read the media stories about companies becoming successful overnight, remember the story of The Hare & the Tortoise . Remember who eventually wins and take solace in the toil since `The race is not always to the swift.`
& the Tortoise . Remember who eventually wins and take solace in the toil since `The race is not always to the swift.`
9/ Be patient, persistent, and do the work. There are no shortcuts. Embrace the toil 
and keep making forward progress 
every single day.
#BeTheTortoise
and keep making forward progress every single day. #BeTheTortoise
