Show notes
Ever notice how people show up loudest after you’ve already won? This episode digs into why founders often get the least support when the risk is highest—and the most opinions once success is “de-risked.” Will shares early moments of having virtually no safety net (including starting with $19, dropping out, and getting doubted), contrasted with the few timely “bricks” that actually changed his trajectory—like a risky $10K loan and a friend’s family offering a place to stay for the holidays. They unpack how funding wins, press, and exits attract late-arriving fans, opportunists, and advice that can derail post-success decisions, and why founders should take inventory of who truly showed up when things looked impossible—and be that kind of support for other founders.00:39 Elon Money Opinions02:55 Guidance Counselor Doubt04:13 Early Support Matters05:44 Nineteen Dollars Start06:53 Ten Thousand Loan09:55 Wide Angle Victory10:38 Doubt Chokes Founders11:38 Young Founder Respect14:59 I Told You So Bias18:49 Funding Round Whiplash20:20 Recruiters Disappear21:30 Success Rewrites History23:03 Sam Altman Backlash25:40 Founders After Success28:32 Timing Is Support32:00 Must Be Nice Myth35:56 Bricks in FoundationResources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/