The Biggest Misconceptions About Being a Startup Founder

Being a founder is often romanticized with the bold visionary, the fast growth, the glory of building something from scratch. And while there are incredible highs, most people's perceptions of what it’s like are flat-out wrong.

Here are the biggest misconceptions I see:

1. “You’ll be your own boss.”

Truth: Your investors, customers, and team are your bosses. You’ll answer to more people than ever before.

2. “You’ll get to work on your ideas all day.”

Truth: Most of your time will be spent putting out fires, hiring, fundraising, managing people, and making decisions that affect everyone else’s livelihood.

3. “If the product is good enough, it will sell itself.”

Truth: No product sells itself. Distribution, marketing, sales, and timing matter just as much — often more.

4. “You’ll finally have freedom.”

Truth: You’ll probably work harder and longer than you ever did in a corporate job. Freedom only comes much later if you build the right systems and people around you.

5. “You’ll always feel proud and inspired.”

Truth: You’ll face crippling self-doubt, lonely stretches, and the weight of knowing you’re responsible for people’s careers and families.

6. “Once you raise money, you’ve made it.”

Truth: Raising money means you’ve just signed up for more pressure, more expectations, and less control.

7. “Success is fast.”

Truth: Overnight success usually takes 7–10 years of relentless work, pivots, and surviving near-death moments.

Being a founder is rewarding and brutal. It asks more of you than you think you have to give. And that’s why I coach leaders: because I’ve lived these realities, felt the loneliness, and know the pressure. You don’t have to carry it all alone.

Being a founder also means creating something that didn’t exist before, solving problems that matter, and shaping a culture where people can do the best work of their lives. It’s a wild, challenging, deeply fulfilling ride, and for many of us, we wouldn’t want it any other way.

Yours in Leadership,

Lee Povey