Most founders don't fail because they're lazy or because they're not smart. They fail because they make these five brutal mistakes.
And if your startup is still in the early stages, chances are you're making at least one of them. So let's fix that.
After working with over 50 startups and helping them scale, I've seen the same patterns over and over again. Some take off. Most don't. And it's rarely because of a bad idea. It's because of a few key mistakes that kill momentum before year two.
But before we dive in, there's something we need to clear up, because a lot of founders get it wrong, and it might be holding you back too.
And if your startup is still in the early stages, chances are you're making at least one of them. So let's fix that.
After working with over 50 startups and helping them scale, I've seen the same patterns over and over again. Some take off. Most don't. And it's rarely because of a bad idea. It's because of a few key mistakes that kill momentum before year two.
But before we dive in, there's something we need to clear up, because a lot of founders get it wrong, and it might be holding you back too.
Do startups only need to solve problems to succeed?
You've probably heard this before:
Startups just need to solve problems to become successful.
But that's actually not true. If solving problems was all it took, every "useful" product would be a hit. But here's the reality: There are tons of products out there that technically solve a problem - and no one cares.
→ The Segway? Solved a problem.
→ Google Glass? Solved a problem.
Both flopped. Because the real question isn't "What problem am I solving?" - It's "Who am I serving, and what do they actually want?"
So most startups don’t fail because of bad ideas. They fail because they’re chasing the wrong thing. Let's check out the 5 brutal mistakes you need to avoid at all costs.
Startups just need to solve problems to become successful.
But that's actually not true. If solving problems was all it took, every "useful" product would be a hit. But here's the reality: There are tons of products out there that technically solve a problem - and no one cares.
→ The Segway? Solved a problem.
→ Google Glass? Solved a problem.
Both flopped. Because the real question isn't "What problem am I solving?" - It's "Who am I serving, and what do they actually want?"
So most startups don’t fail because of bad ideas. They fail because they’re chasing the wrong thing. Let's check out the 5 brutal mistakes you need to avoid at all costs.
Mistake #1: Chasing a ‘big idea’ instead of a big market
Let me tell you a short story. A few years ago, I met a founder who had an "amazing" idea. He was building an app that let people rent out home gyms - like an Airbnb for fitness.
Sounds cool, right?
The problem was that almost no one wanted to rent out their home gym. And even fewer people wanted to work out in someone else's basement. He spent two years on it. And it cost him $50,000 to develop it. But in the end, there was no market.
Your startup is only as strong as its market. I mean, if no one is willing to pay for it, it doesn't matter how "innovative" or "cool" your idea is.
Here is what I learned after working over 10+ years in the startup industry: We often think that competition is bad, but it is actually proof that something is working, that there is a market.
So remember, instead of asking:
❌ "How can I create something new?" ask yourself,
✅ "Where are people already spending money and how can I offer something better?
Think about Uber for example. They didn't invent taxis. They just made the experience much better. This is why so many "innovative" startups fail. They create something fancy and cool instead of creating demand. It's a losing game.
Sounds cool, right?
The problem was that almost no one wanted to rent out their home gym. And even fewer people wanted to work out in someone else's basement. He spent two years on it. And it cost him $50,000 to develop it. But in the end, there was no market.
Your startup is only as strong as its market. I mean, if no one is willing to pay for it, it doesn't matter how "innovative" or "cool" your idea is.
Here is what I learned after working over 10+ years in the startup industry: We often think that competition is bad, but it is actually proof that something is working, that there is a market.
So remember, instead of asking:
❌ "How can I create something new?" ask yourself,
✅ "Where are people already spending money and how can I offer something better?
Think about Uber for example. They didn't invent taxis. They just made the experience much better. This is why so many "innovative" startups fail. They create something fancy and cool instead of creating demand. It's a losing game.
✏️ Now, take a second. Think about your idea. Is your idea just fancy and cool - or are you in a market where people are already spending money?
If it’s the first one, you might need to pivot your idea.
POWERFUL STARTUP RESOURCES
Mistake #2: Waiting too long to charge money
Now, even if you have a big market with demand, there's another mistake that can quickly kill your startup.
Picture this:
You launch a startup. You focus on getting users, and you say to yourself, "I want to get users first, and I'll figure out how to make money later.
Months go by and you burn through your cash. You have users, but no revenue. And when you finally try to charge, no one wants to pay. Ouch.
Now, you might say: „Pff - who does that?“ But this happens ALL the time.
The truth is this: If people aren't willing to pay after trying your product, they probably never will.
One of the biggest mistakes I see is that founders are afraid to charge because they think it will scare users away. But if charging scares people away, they were never potential customers in the first place.
So the best way to validate your startup is to charge something - anything - early on. Even $1 forces people to actually think about whether or not your offering is valuable.
So if you're not charging yet, ask yourself, why? If you're worried about losing too many free users - remember - free users don't pay your team, your office space, or your rent.
So start charging for what you offer.
STARTUP TEMPLATES, WORKSHEETS, CHEAT SHEETSPicture this:
You launch a startup. You focus on getting users, and you say to yourself, "I want to get users first, and I'll figure out how to make money later.
Months go by and you burn through your cash. You have users, but no revenue. And when you finally try to charge, no one wants to pay. Ouch.
Now, you might say: „Pff - who does that?“ But this happens ALL the time.
The truth is this: If people aren't willing to pay after trying your product, they probably never will.
One of the biggest mistakes I see is that founders are afraid to charge because they think it will scare users away. But if charging scares people away, they were never potential customers in the first place.
So the best way to validate your startup is to charge something - anything - early on. Even $1 forces people to actually think about whether or not your offering is valuable.
So if you're not charging yet, ask yourself, why? If you're worried about losing too many free users - remember - free users don't pay your team, your office space, or your rent.
So start charging for what you offer.
Mistake #3: Trying to do everything instead of mastering one thing
Have you ever been to a restaurant with a menu like this? Sushi, pizza, burgers, pasta. What's your first thought?
If they offer everything, it can't be that great, right?
And most of the time, you're right. Startups do this too. They try to serve every possible user, so they launch with hundreds of different features.
I worked with a Fortune 500 company once and we had this super cool new web application where people could sell their own products through an online marketplace. In the beginning we only allowed digital products - like e-books or video courses - but pretty soon the management said: "Hey, why not allow physical products as well, like written books."
We expected a lot of new users. But we didn't get much more users, instead our old users left because they were confused that it might not be for them anymore.
So we didn't make any progress and soon we changed our plans again. So here's the key:
The most successful startups start with:
✅ One great offering
✅ One clear customer
✅ One strong marketing channel
I've seen so many startups make this mistake. They launch five features when they should focus on one. They try to sell into five markets when they should dominate one.
And then they wonder why they're struggling.
I worked with a Fortune 500 company once and we had this super cool new web application where people could sell their own products through an online marketplace. In the beginning we only allowed digital products - like e-books or video courses - but pretty soon the management said: "Hey, why not allow physical products as well, like written books."
We expected a lot of new users. But we didn't get much more users, instead our old users left because they were confused that it might not be for them anymore.
So we didn't make any progress and soon we changed our plans again. So here's the key:
The most successful startups start with:
✅ One great offering
✅ One clear customer
✅ One strong marketing channel
I've seen so many startups make this mistake. They launch five features when they should focus on one. They try to sell into five markets when they should dominate one.
And then they wonder why they're struggling.
✏️ So think about it - what's the one thing that's working for you right now? What feature are people using the most that makes you stand out? Double down on that!
Before I show you the next couple of big mistakes, let me show you something that will help you on your startup journey - my Startup Success Bundle.
The Startup Success Bundle is perfect for you if you are looking for a step-by-step, actionable & proven system to guide you to startup success.
Check it out!
Mistake #4: Thinking „If I build it, they will come“
This one kills startups every day. A founder builds an amazing product and assumes that people will magically find it.
But guess what - that never works.
Even the best product will fail if no one knows about it. In my opinion, at least 50% of your startup's success is based on your marketing. So you need a clear plan for getting new customers.
This is why so many great products go unnoticed. The founders think their product will speak for itself - but it never does.
→ You need marketing.
→ You need to get eyeballs.
And this is so important that I have created a 4-step framework to help you do just that. Find the best marketing channel for your startup to get new customers, WITHOUT you having to waste your hard-earned money on expensive ads.
I have helped over 50 startups and some of the world's billion dollar companies build their marketing strategy using this exact framework. So it's tried and tested. It's super easy to use, and it won't take you more than 3 hours to finish - I'll walk you through every step.
You can get it in my Marketing Channel Bundle.
But guess what - that never works.
Even the best product will fail if no one knows about it. In my opinion, at least 50% of your startup's success is based on your marketing. So you need a clear plan for getting new customers.
This is why so many great products go unnoticed. The founders think their product will speak for itself - but it never does.
→ You need marketing.
→ You need to get eyeballs.
And this is so important that I have created a 4-step framework to help you do just that. Find the best marketing channel for your startup to get new customers, WITHOUT you having to waste your hard-earned money on expensive ads.
I have helped over 50 startups and some of the world's billion dollar companies build their marketing strategy using this exact framework. So it's tried and tested. It's super easy to use, and it won't take you more than 3 hours to finish - I'll walk you through every step.
You can get it in my Marketing Channel Bundle.
Mistake #5: Ignoring long-term brand & authority
This one is becoming increasingly important in the age of AI. Many startups chase short-term wins. Ads, viral tricks or the next best marketing hack. And sure, they can work for a while.
But here's the problem: Everyone is doing this. More people are pushing content - it's getting faster and easier. Especially as AI takes over.
So you need something that differentiates you from the competition. So the startups that last aren't just selling products, they're building trust with their audience.
Look at someone like Chris Do, founder of the Futur. His content doesn’t just sell services, it builds trust. That’s why people don’t just hire him - they follow him.
So the lesson is, don't just focus on the quick hacks that the next best marketing guru tells you to use, focus on building long-term trust.
✅ Create content.
✅ Engage with your audience.
✅ Become the go-to expert in your field.
I think, especially in the age of AI, this will be the difference between people choosing you over your competition.
But here's the problem: Everyone is doing this. More people are pushing content - it's getting faster and easier. Especially as AI takes over.
So you need something that differentiates you from the competition. So the startups that last aren't just selling products, they're building trust with their audience.
Look at someone like Chris Do, founder of the Futur. His content doesn’t just sell services, it builds trust. That’s why people don’t just hire him - they follow him.
So the lesson is, don't just focus on the quick hacks that the next best marketing guru tells you to use, focus on building long-term trust.
✅ Create content.
✅ Engage with your audience.
✅ Become the go-to expert in your field.
I think, especially in the age of AI, this will be the difference between people choosing you over your competition.
What's next
These are the 5 mistakes you must avoid to build a successful startup. And now you know how to overcome them. Unfortunately these lessons are useless if you don't have a clear strategy to actually grow your startup.
So check out my Startup Success Bundle. It's my answer to founders getting stuck in the process or making critical mistakes that cost their business.
The Startup Success Bundle is perfect for you if you are looking for an actionable, proven system - full of worksheets, cheat sheets and templates - to guide you to business success.
Check it out now!
So check out my Startup Success Bundle. It's my answer to founders getting stuck in the process or making critical mistakes that cost their business.
The Startup Success Bundle is perfect for you if you are looking for an actionable, proven system - full of worksheets, cheat sheets and templates - to guide you to business success.
Check it out now!