I feel like a warrior-monk every day as I do my morning practice (meditation, breathwork, mantra, reading while absorbing sunlight by the beach).

I feel like a 'starving artist' as I budget for healthy meals and fast at least 12 hours a day. I feel very healthy though, it's odd. I used to think I need a lot more food but really I just need high quality food.

I feel like an engineer/architect as I reverse engineer my vision of the future into very clear blueprints and schematics.

All together, I operate like a general leading an army of early adopters and gaining the support of smarter and experienced allies who have done the things I want to do in life.

I have been rejected from YC twice, once in 2017 when I was 17 and last May but I see why and it has not discouraged me. Not one bit. It only motivated me to learn more and love myself more for not giving up, being open to trying new approaches.

I'd love to hear your 'origin stories' that looked crazy to everyone else and how they ultimately shaped you into who are you today.

MAHALO :)

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46240388

Points: 4

# Comments: 3

This is definitely bigger than just Hawaii.

I agree with them. I posted this to just see what others thought.

It's interesting how many people I meet from the tech world that move out here or vacation here often. I don't want to leave but would do some extended trips to places on my list for sure and always come back to one of the islands.

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46178280

Points: 36

# Comments: 14

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44220454

Points: 9

# Comments: 2

A lot is happening in the world and in our industry but I am doing all I can to be part of the cure, not the cancer.

This gives me peace of mind and helps me adapt regardless of if YC backs me or not. I'm moving to Palo Alto regardless, just being in the zip code alone will be enough at this point.

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44205719

Points: 14

# Comments: 22

I hope this is helpful and sparks some quality discussion of micro and macro trends unfolding in our line of work. It's fascinating and frightening at the same time. I'm along for the ride though, don't know what else I'd do with my life.

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44203844

Points: 2

# Comments: 1

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44162654

Points: 23

# Comments: 8

It's not a big deal whether it is or not, I just haven't met anyone else who has gotten it. People who are a lot more experienced than me. I'm a bit of an outsider coming to the Bay Area, I've been cruising in Hawaii for a few years.

I'm moving to the Bay Area whether I am accepted or not. I believe in what I'm building and am ALL IN. I haven't been this excited to work 100 hours a week in a LONG TIME.

One problem, I got it on a flight to Maui and when I landed I had to choose between the coding challenge or exploring Maui. I picked Maui, right decision at the time.

But, I applied to YC and I've been working 10-12 hours a day on my MVP. I've been having VERY DEEP conversations with chatGPT Plus and moving mountains with Cursor Pro. So I started to realize that Google must've sensed I have the mind of a software engineer even though I see myself as a 'creative developer' (a designer able to write code when needed).

Anyways, I need to go to sleep but had to ask this before I forgot.

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44020450

Points: 1

# Comments: 2

------------------------------------------------------- Main Reasons Startups Fail Within the First Five Years

Startups face a high failure rate in their first five years, with up to 70% not surviving this period. The most common reasons for these failures are:

• Lack of Product-Market Fit: The leading cause, with 34% of startups failing because their product or service does not meet a real market need.

• Cash Flow Problems/Running Out of Cash: About 16% of failures are due to running out of money or poor cash flow management.

• Poor Marketing or Lack of Market Demand: 22% of failed startups did not implement effective marketing strategies or failed to generate enough demand for their product.

• Team and Human Resource Issues: 18% of startups fail due to team problems, such as not hiring the right people or internal conflict.

• No Clear or Flawed Business Model: Many startups lack a sustainable business model or fail to plan for profitability.

• Failure to Adapt or Mismanagement of Growth: Not adapting to market changes or scaling too quickly without proper planning can lead to failure.

• Lack of Focus: Losing focus on core objectives and getting distracted by too many initiatives is a common pitfall.

• Operational and Legal Issues: Some startups fail due to operational inefficiencies, legal problems, or poor record-keeping.

These reasons often overlap, and failure is usually the result of several factors rather than a single issue. Addressing these core challenges is critical for startups aiming to survive and thrive beyond the five-year mark.

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44012027

Points: 2

# Comments: 0

I got invited to Idaho to work at a non-profit conservation project that is aligned with my startup. Our funding was cut by DOGE and Trump a few weeks ago, so I had to pivot.

I decided I'll just go for it and apply to YC with what I have and with my story. I've tied everything together as fast as I can but I don't have much beyond a vision, a plan, a business model canvas, a few screenshots to show how the app works.

I have a script for cold emails that I will send out while I wait to hear back. My other option is something like KickStarter or just bootstrap somehow with the help of an angel investor.

I've never raised money before, so this is all uncharted terrain for me.

Thanks for sharing any insight or encouragement. :)

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43977071

Points: 2

# Comments: 0