Most venture capitalists won't read a business plan unless the entrepreneur is introduced to them by a contact.

The beauty of Goodreads is that you know you’re sowing in a field where everyone, by definition and self-selection, loves to read.

I don't want to make more friends. I have four kids, I have plenty of friends, and all the personal relationships I need.

You say: "I'm a blue sky thinker." Investor thinks: "You have no business model, and you don't know how to ship."

"No one is doing what we're doing." This is a bummer of a lie because there are only two logical conclusions. First, no one else is doing this because there is no market for it. Second, the entrepreneur is so clueless that he can't even use Google to figure out he has competition. Suffice it to say that the lack of a market and cluelessness is not conducive to securing an investment. As a rule of thumb, if you have a good idea, five companies are going the same thing. If you have a great idea, fifteen companies are doing the same thing.

When you enchant people, your goal is not to make money from them or to get them to do what you want, but to fill them with great delight.

Pursuing your passions makes you more interesting, and interesting people are enchanting.