Smart People Should Build Things: How to Restore Our Culture of Achievement, Build a Path for Entrepreneurs, and Create New Jobs in America

by Andrew Yang

There is a common and persistent belief out there that entrepreneurship is about creativity, that it’s about having a great idea. But it’s not, really. Entrepreneurship isn’t about creativity. It’s about organization building—which, in turn, is about people. I sometimes compare starting a business to having a child. You have a moment of profound inspiration, followed by months of thankless hard work and waking up in the middle of the night.* People focus way too much on the inspiration, but, like conception, having a good idea isn’t much of an accomplishment. You need the action and follow-through, which involves the right people, know-how, money, resources, and years of hard work. I learned this the hard way. Here’s a list of things you can reasonably do on the side as you’re working a full-time job to explore an idea for a great new business: 1. Research your idea (figure out the market, talk to prospective customers about what they would like, see who your competitors are, and so forth). 2. Undertake legal incorporation and trademark protection (the latter when necessary; most companies don’t need a trademark at first). 3. Claim a web URL and build a website or have it built; get company e-mail accounts. 4. Get a bank account and credit card (you’ll generally have to use personal credit at first). 5. Initiate a Facebook page, a blog, and a Twitter account if appropriate. 6. Develop branding (e.g., get a logo designed, print business cards). 7. Talk it up to your ...