The most common post YC failure case for the companies we fund, is they're incredibly focussed during YC on their company... and after they start doing a lot of other things. They advise companies, they go to conferences, whatever.

... if you talk to say any of the first 40 or 50 employees, they all feel like they were a part of the founding of the company.

You should think about for the next 10 years, you're going to be giving out 3-5% of the company every year.

One of the keys to focus, and why I said cofounders that aren't friends really struggle, is that you can't be focused without good communication.

The way to have a company that executes well is you have to execute well yourself.

In the early stage of a startup, hiring senior people is usually a mistake. You just want people that get stuff done.

Keep salaries low and equity high. Keep the organization as flat as you can.