Execution gets divided into two key questions: 1) can you figure out what to do and 2) can you get it done.

The second part of how to hire: try not to.

Starting a business is like riding a wave between life and death. If you can hang on long enough, you're bound to succeed

Many of the best YC companies have had phenomenally small number of employees for their first year, sometimes none besides the founders.

You only get points when you make something the market wants. So if you work really hard on the wrong things, no one will care.

If you compromise and hire someone mediocre you will always regret it.

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.