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Hermione's Start-Up Meltdown
Hermione explains the incredibly difficult process of entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley.
Nov 26, 2012Start-Up Meltdown on National TV
Tonight I have a meltdown on national TV. It's not my proudest TV moment, but it’s definitely my most honest.
As a blogger you write about the good stuff; the start-ups that get funding or have big exits, you don't write about the 99% of startups that don't even get past the funding stage, the ones that fail or the founders who breakdown under the intense nature of entrepreneurship. And that's because the reality of building a start-up is not pretty.
Even at the idea stage, you have to be strong. Everyone has an opinion, and they will tell you your idea sucks or to iterate features to their liking. But you have to be focused enough to know when to let the good advice in or block out the noise so you can stay true to your vision.
People think Silicon Valley is a place where money grows on trees, but the reality is raising funds is really hard, and if you're building hardware, you need a large amount of upfront capital to get your product to market. The pitching process is a long, relentless, hard slog where finding the right investor is like finding the right person to marry -- you might have to date hundreds before you find the right match. And even if you do get past the funding stage, you shouldn't be celebrating as that's when the real hard work starts -- you have to make it happen, investors want their return.
Start-up meltdowns happen all the time in Silicon Valley, they are just not caught on national TV. Mine was. Tune in tonight at 10pm on Bravo to see the sh-t hit the fan.
Rather homophobic of you to exclude the lesbian from the crowd in your little dating contest Hermione! Shame on you - this is the US and not England and the LGBT Community over here is loud and proud! You owe Sarah an apology for the lesbian exclusion and for not thanking her for the crowd she produced for you and that ungrateful David and Ben. Nice of you to show up, offend the LGBT Community and just take over Sarah's event and play the victim while you are doing it. Shame on you Sarah.
balharbour
Sarah was just causing trouble as usual. No need for an apology. Didn't that girl say she was not a lesbian? I did not see an insult to the LGBT community.
Maybe you would get funding and be taken more seriously if you would come into a meeting looking professional and not like you have been partying for 5 days. Money respects money so if come in looking like you didn't just walk off the street and you know what you are doing maybe you will get funding for your business.
So now Ben and Sarah both feel you're not pulling your weight! Stop acting like a spoiled brat! Sleeping under the table in a conference room right before a meeting?Crying about money and expecting your brother to use his money Brat!
Hi! I have never contacted someone out-of-the blue like this; so please forgive. I know the show isn't over and that you have secured funding. I hope it is from the place that I've been thinking of each week that I watch. However, the fact that the article I just read about your success leads me to wonder. I'm not trying to be coy and I have nothing to do with the tech world but I believe that there is a way that some deep pockets outside of Silicon Valley may be being overlooked. Again, I understand it's a reality show and that the viewer is not seeing all (or maybe even most) of the contacts you are making. However, if you think about it, who really benefits if people live healthier lives - the insurance companies, and also the states and soon the Country. i am and have been in the medical field for almost 20 years. Part of my job is using all means necessary to stop unhealthy behaviors. I am a clinical social worker who spent much of my time with patients trying to do that and another portion of my time managing how physicians are treating their patient and acting as a liaison to insurance companies. I think what I have to say is too long for a post but I would be happy to speak with you if you have not already approached and/or secured this market. I think you have a great idea, I just see it as much more than a consumer product per se. Congratulations on your success! Heather Atiga
You should keep dating Jay... he is a doll!
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