One of the big problems about Silicon Valley startup thinking:

The aspiration to build an epic company and one day sell it for millions (or billions).

What if this was a bad way of thinking?

Warren Buffet says when he buys stock, he plans on holding it forever.

Steve Jobs didn’t build Apple hoping one day that someone would buy him out, so he could retire on some island. No— his aspiration was to create a creative company that would out-endure and outlast him. His aspiration was to create greet technological tools to empower humanity.

Similarly, Elon has no plans of selling Space X or Tesla. It is all part of his grand master plan and vision.

Why sell?

The bias of selling your company or earning a bunch of money — the goal is to make money (not to make something great).

Why money?

The goal isn’t to make money, or to get a lot of money. The goal is to work on something you consider meaningful and great. This was my impetus to starting arsbeta.com — an actually empowering social media platform for photographers.

Top photos this month on arsbeta.com

Building ARS has helped me discover new talent, like Sergio Morais.

SERGIO MORAIS on ARS

Don’t complain, create.

SERGIO MORAIS on ARS

What is great about building a company? To actually make a change in the world. To not just complain, but to do something about it. To create tools, technologies, and things that can become the change which you wish to see manifested in the world. Also it is about leveraging the talents and skills of others. For example my friend Kevin who built ARS (Computer science), Cindy who coordinates the building (project director), Annette who created the designs, and Jun who built Ars Coin. Also Ben for helping push our ideas to the next level.

Don’t think about money

Money is mostly a distraction. Focus on meaning, purpose, and building something different and epic. Follow your own gut and voice. Everything else will deter you.

The best life to live is a life without regret, a life where you never compromise your values, and a life where you never betray your gut.

FIGHT ON!

ERIC