Lagunitas IPA, originally uploaded by feaverish.

This is fast becoming one of my favorite beers. It is only topped by Chico’s Sierra Nevada IPA.

Here are a few startup lessons from a fellow entrepreneur.

1. Make no assumptions when it comes to roles and responsibilities.
2. Communication between partners is mandatory. And you cannot communicate with someone who is not communicating with you.
3. Decisions aren’t decisions if you have to keep making them. Set on the course and stick to it. If you keep talking about things that have already been decided, nothing will ever get done.
4. When someone says one thing, but acts in a contradictory way, you have a choice between believing their words or believing their deeds. Believe their deeds.
5. Never let anyone tell you what you want. When someone says, “You don’t want that,” what they really mean is, “I don’t want you to have that.”
6. Don’t stay where you’re not wanted, respected, or happy. Even if it’s your company.

And a few more I would like to add from my experience.

1. There is no sense in beating a dead horse. If you feel it ain’t going no where, then it probably isn’t.
2. If it don’t feel like it’s your company anymore, then it really isn’t. Yes, what’s on paper does matter.
3. You’re smarter than what you give yourself credit for and you’re definitely smarter than what they think.
4. Your opportunity cost is usually higher than your startup cost. Do your math carefully.
5. You’re not a failure if you call it quits, you’re actually more of a failure if you don’t know when to quit.

mmkay, originally uploaded by MrsStrizzay.

It seams that I am becoming fonder of Brandy lately. E&J reminds me of my younger days in high school and it tastes pretty good as a late night drink.

Puff-Puff-Pass, originally uploaded by rinklefree.

Smoking seems to be the preferred pastime for everyone around me. The temptation is killing me!

I have been trying to hire some good talent for my company and have been largely unsuccessful. The experienced folks seem to be bored in what they do and too stuck in their ways, while the passionate fellers are sparkling new and have very little to give besides enthusiasm. One guy stands out, however, I can’t seem to find a happy middle and I would hate to hire the “best” out the mediocre bunch I have seen.

Here is a great excerpt on the subject taken from an article on Om Malik’s newest blog.

“In the technology business, good engineers are vital. And they are not a commodity that you buy from some recruiter. Spotting the ones that will make great team members requires a different approach. The best method is to get them off tech or their explicit work skills, and on to talking about themselves and other things that they are passionate about. Then your job is to listen closely to what they are sharing with you. If you do that, it will be easy to spot the employees who are right for you and great for your startup.”