But the more dependencies you introduce into building anything, the more you become subject to narrative. The more people who have to believe in something to make it work, the more you're dependent on their belief system.
Storytelling is something I find myself returning to think about again, and again, and again. It can be one of the most powerful forces in the universe. But it is such a double-edged sword. And if you're not careful, it can cut you down as much as it can build you up.
out expectations, which warps perception and acts a forcing function for interpretation - and that is How You Feel (in the most simplistic way possible)."
In Kyla's words, our "interpretation of the future shapes [the] narrative, which can shape reality."
In this market, every dependency you have as a business is an increasingly at-risk failure point.
The story has changed, and everyone's vibes are off. Pessimism is running rampant, and so much of building a startup is dependent on shared narratives. There are so many people that you have to convince. You have to convince them you can create something out of nothing.
a story-skeptical time, fundraising is a weakness
In times when everyone has transitioned from FOMO (fear of missing out) to SOBS (shame of being suckered), you're going to be met with a lot of intense skepticism. The more you can be in control of your own destiny, rather than at the mercy of someone else's faithfulness, the better off you'll be.
I should caveat this idea with the acknowledgement that every idea requires nuance. Venture capital isn't evil. Bootstrapping isn't the ONLY way to build a business. Everything is a tool. You can accept dependencies, but you should accept them thoughtfully
The only way he makes money is if Berkshire Hathaway stock goes up. So what are his dependencies? Effectively just the performance of his underlying businesses. If the businesses do well, he has more cash to deploy.
In a world of naysayers, sad-sops, and storytellers (who are grumpy), look for those opportunities to grow organically, rely on yourself, and build with fewer people who are more bought into the vision. Don't be afraid of dependencies, but only depend on dependencies that are dependable.
The more dependencies you introduce to your business, the more you're at the mercy of other people's narratives.
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