The Simple Advice I Always Give Founders (And Why It’s What Matters Most)

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of working with early-stage founders, it’s this: the simple advice is often the most important.

Founders are bombarded with noise — hot takes, trends, tactics, Twitter/X threads. But when you strip it all back, the companies that win are the ones that stay focused, disciplined, and clear about how they’re using their most valuable resources.

Here’s the advice I give more than anything else:

Your time is your most precious resource. Spend it like cash.

You can raise more money. You can hire more people. But you can’t create more time.

Founders get pulled in 50 directions every day — product, sales, fundraising, hiring. But the best founders are ruthless about what they say yes to. They focus on building things customers want and getting those things into their hands as quickly and efficiently as possible.

If it’s not driving a critical milestone or moving the business forward, it’s a distraction. Delegate it. Defer it. Or drop it.

Cash is king — and forecasting is oxygen.

I’ve worked with teams that were profitable on paper but went under because they didn’t manage cash. They didn’t track where money was going, when it would run out, or what it would take to extend their runway.

You need a clear view of cash inflows and outflows. You need a model that shows you the path ahead — not just one that looks good for investors, but one you can actually run the business on.

And you need to check it every month. (Every week if you’re tight.)

Cash buys you optionality. It lets you control your destiny instead of being at the mercy of your next round.

Mental health is just as important as financial health.

It’s easy to glamorize the grind. But the truth is, if you burn out, your business will suffer. Founders carry an enormous load — emotionally, mentally, and physically. That stress compounds.

The healthiest companies I’ve seen are led by founders who protect their time, set boundaries, and build support systems — financial and personal.

You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through every decision. You need room to breathe and people around you who can help shoulder the load. This is why we always stress hiring smartly.

It’s not always about having more advice. It’s about having the right advice.

Simple doesn’t mean easy. It means essential.

Focus on what matters: Know your numbers. Protect your time and energy. These aren’t the flashiest insights — but they’re the foundation of every healthy, scalable startup I’ve worked with.

Everything else is just noise.