Colin Sprake argues that "fake it till you make it" sets founders up for failure. Early-stage entrepreneurs face cash-flow crises, payroll pressure, and crushing isolation that can trigger substance abuse and mental-health collapse. The real survival strategy is building a trusted network of people who actually believe in you.
The statement of fake it until you make it to me is a complete lie. And it should never be said in the world of entrepreneurship. So many people say to me, Colin, I've got to fake it until I make it. I'm like, here's the challenge. Entrepreneurship has a lot of trials and tribulations, a lot of anguish, a lot of anxiety. Yes, for sure, there's victories and success and fun and everything else that comes with it. But that comes down the line when you're making a ton of money. When you're not making money, it's like, how do I afford payroll? How do I even pay myself? How do I put food on the table for my family? That is where the sort of rubber hits the road. And that's what I'm gonna say to you today is surround yourself with people who believe in you, who trust you, that you can go to. Entrepreneurship is a lonely path, can be extremely lonely. If you allow it to be that way, it can drive you honestly to looking for substance abuse to try and keep yourself on track. At the end of the day, find people that support you, that love you, that want the best for you, and call on them because that will help you get through the lonely part of the journey of entrepreneurship and get to the levels of success that you so deeply desire inside.
