Hey founders,

If you caught my recent chat on the Founder Mode podcast (Hosted by Jason Shafton & Kevin Henrikson) , you know we didn’t sugarcoat much. We dug into the messy reality behind startup hype, the pitfalls of chasing shiny AI features, and why most people shouldn’t be founders—and that’s not a bad thing.

Let’s recap the key ideas from the conversation, then I’ll unpack what I really mean when I say, “There’s almost no reason to be a founder.”

Startup Hype vs. Reality Startups look glamorous from the outside: big raises, wild growth, and a steady stream of “success stories.” The reality? Most people who try to build a startup are “playing founder.” Out of tens of thousands of applicants to Stonks, 90% were caught up in the theater, not the substance. The startup path is grueling, lonely, and usually thankless. Unless you’re obsessed—like, can’t sleep at night unless you’re building something—it’s probably not worth it.

Validate Before You Build I built Validate to help founders kill bad ideas fast. Why? Because most ideas sound great in your head, but odds are nobody actually wants what you’re selling. Before you even think about recruiting a co-founder or burning months on development, ask yourself: “Do people care?” Most of the time, the answer is no. Validate gives you a plan, competitive analysis, and a landing page in minutes so you can test the waters without diving in headfirst.

AI Features: Leverage, Not Magic Everyone’s slapping AI onto their product like it’s pixie dust. Reality check: Most customers don’t want it, don’t trust it, and won’t use it. AI should be “better shoes, not wings”—it helps you run faster, but it won’t make you fly. Build what’s useful, not what’s trendy.

Writing Sharpens Thinking Writing isn’t just content—it’s clarity. When I started the newsletter, it was mostly to force myself to think better. If you want to sharpen your ideas, put them on paper (or pixels). You’ll spot holes, contradictions, and opportunities you’d never see in your head.

The Most Common Founder Mistake Founders lose touch with their customers. It happens fast. You build something, get a little traction, and suddenly you’re talking to project managers instead of real users. The minute you stop those conversations, you start building stuff nobody wants.

So, why do I say there’s almost no reason to be a founder?

Because being a founder is not the best path for most people. There are easier, saner ways to build a great life and career—remote work, small businesses, freelancing, and roles that let you be time-zone independent and financially secure. The world glamorizes founders, but the truth is it’s a brutal grind with little certainty and lots of risk.

Most people would be happier, wealthier, and less stressed doing almost anything else. Unless you feel a deep, unshakable need to solve a problem or build something new; and you’re willing to live with the chaos, rejection, and uncertainty, DON’T do it. There’s no shame in opting out.

If you can’t imagine doing anything else, then go for it. But do it with eyes open, tools like Validate to keep you honest, and a willingness to kill your darlings early.

THE END

Short one today because its a bit heavy. As always, thank you for reading. I do not deserve you. Email me if you want to chat.

— John Hancock