Author: Chris Maguire

Serial entrepreneur Ranjan Singh, founder of HealthHero, says people need to be careful whose advice they listen to.

He’s come up with four truths he thinks every founder needs to know before starting a business.

• 1. ‘Never give up’ might be the worst advice you can get.
• 2. ‘Choose your investors carefully’ is unrealistic advice
• 3. Cool company culture starts with outcomes, not a funky office
• 4. People who are genuinely learning will matter far more than a ‘cool’ office space.

Singh wrote: “None of this is a reason not to do it. Building something meaningful is one of the most worthwhile things a person can do with their working life.

“But go in clear-eyed about what it really requires, not what the conference circuit claims it does.

“The advice around entrepreneurship is loud, sometimes inauthentic and almost always delivered by people trying to impress.

“It’s time we had quieter conversations grounded in reality, conversations that are reflective and honest.

“To succeed as early-stage entrepreneurs, we need role models we can relate to, not people we simply aspire to become.”