Why Startups Need Anthony Bourdain

It's getting to be a bit much that today you can't get through lunch without some sort of media outlet announcing that another Startup (probably with a .ly web address) got Series X funding or acquired with a REDONCULOUS valuation.  I get it.  Everybody loves the underdog story and when Startups "make it" it fuels the American dream in all of us.  Hell, I drink the same Koolaid.  But when the little guy comes up short, nobody wants to hear about it.  That's what I find so intriguing about what the anonymous blogger from "My Startup has 30 Days to Live" has done.

For those of you that don't know, "My Startup has 30 Days to Live" is a blog that started about 2 weeks ago that digs deep into how “through a series of unfortunate events, [he] took a bootstrapped (and profitable) Startup onto the VC rocket ship. Now it's crashing into the ground. Hard.”  He describes the reality of Startup life, good and bad.  There is talk about hope, passion, hustle – all the makings of a real crowd pleaser.  But at it’s core is the ugly truth; the grind, sacrifices, mistakes, expenses, and subsequent failures of a business.  It’s an honest portrayal of the harsh realities of Startup life, not the white-washed Cinderella story presented to us by the public.

In my opinion, this story is LONG overdue.  For most entrepreneurs, Startup life is a full throttle grind and everyday you deal with a mixture of fleeting emotions with a constant undercurrent of "are we going to make it?".  Ultimately that's why we love it!!  It's an incredible challenge, but I'm glad this blogger took the time to spill his guts for us.  The world needs to hear the real story of Startup life not the 1% that "make it".   Its more real and ultimately more entertaining.  Hell, look how the world (included me) was entertained by Anthony Bourdain's commentary on the restaurant world in Kitchen Confidential?  This is the true "underbelly" of the Startup industry and it's an incredible place!!  I would encourage you all to take look at what he has to say….I promise it'll be a refreshing break from your favorite tech blog.