It is important for you to identify startup advice that is authentic from that which is unauthentic. Unfortunately, there is more unauthentic advice out there than is acceptable. Even worse, it puts a young, fragile Arkansas startup community at risk.

Unauthentic Startup Advice
This advice is dangerous, especially for the startup newbie. This advice most often times comes from those who are paid by a ‘higher power’ to “help.” Unfortunately, to be paid, a mission has to be accomplished, dollars have to be created, which requires the “help” to be tied to a motive. Usually that motive isn’t directly tied to you getting to MVP (Minimum Viable Product) or hitting a sales goal or whatever goal you are trying to reach. Due to this, suggestions and ‘advice’ may be given that doesn’t directly correlate with what might be best or most productive for your startup development.

This also means that because the relationship is unauthentic, that the person giving advice doesn’t have a genuine interest invested into you. Because of this, you may find that when you are in a slump, or things are not going particularly well, or more bluntly, you no longer fit within their agenda/motive, that their time/advice will be non existent.

Many people provide value through mentorship and through advising regularly because of the fulfillment it gives them. I am one who meets with people multiple hours weekly in order to provide as much value as possible. Believe me when I say it: I provide Authentic Advice. I have nothing to gain other than the fulfillment of knowing I did as much as possible to help you succeed either through my knowledge, skillset, perspective, network or overall support. Your success doesn’t get me a raise at work. If it did, you could imagine I would find more time to have more time to help. This is not the case though, nor would I put myself in that position.

Not all funded advice is unauthentic. I don’t want to be misunderstood. I am only saying to be careful. Be careful what advice you take from anyone. Have enough discipline to trust your gut and to do what you think is right.

At the end of the day, not everyone is out to see you succeed for the pure fact to see you succeed. Many have motives. Many have agendas. You have to be aware of that so that when dealing with these people, you are comfortable and prepared.