Hacker News Reader

Comment by raphaelb | Hacker News Reader

I don't understand why it is inappropriate to label it a startup. By your definition 37signals is not a startup because they made money early on and don't work more than 40 hours per week.

It seems like the childish / teenaged measuring stick he talked about regarding revenue or employee size. Like it isn't a real business/startup if you don't work 70+ hours per week and earn no money quickly.

View on HN

I don't believe that DHH and Jason work less than 40 hours a week. Maybe they do now, 10 years later, but I think they've burned plenty of midnight oil that would put BP to shame.

I don't understand why people who want a relaxed work environment label themselves a startup. That's like saying you're a marine but have never gone through bootcamp.

> I don't understand why people who want a relaxed work environment label themselves a startup.

Why not? I know some people want to take claim of the term because they chose one path that may have had more sacrifices but their way isn't the only way.

Hours worked per week is one of the least significant factors in defining "startup" for me.

I agree it's not the only way but it's by far the majority. More importantly though, most founders don't consider it "work" so I think that's where we have a disconnect. Startups are intense, that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable.

http://www.paulgraham.com/really.html.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com