For most of the early hires you make in a startup, experience doesn't matter very much, and you should go for aptitude.

So if you want a culture where people work hard, & pay attention to detail, focus on the customer, are frugal: you have to do it yourself.

You're saying no ninety-seven times out of a hundred, and most founders find they have to make a very conscious effort to do this.

For most software startups, this translates to keep growing. For hardware startups, it translates to don't let your ship date slip.

Ideas by themselves are not worth anything, only executing well is what creates value.

Before product/market fit, your only job that matters is to build a great product.

Developing a personal connection with anyone you're trying to do a big deal with is really important.