What always stands out is how much pressure there is to move fast and not ask too many questions. Founders will talk nonstop about vision and disruption while avoiding basic transparency, like where the money is actually coming from or why no one can clearly explain the business model. Over time I forced myself to slow down and do boring reality checks before trusting anyone. That meant verifying registrations, checking if earlier projects quietly vanished, and paying attention to how leaders react when challenged. If someone gets defensive or vague instead of clear, that’s usually my cue to step back. I also keep a few resources around just to stay grounded, and this article The Dark Side of Entrepreneurship: Unveiling Startup Scams is what I use when I want a reminder of common tricks and warning signs. It lines up closely with things I’ve seen in real life, like fake traction, artificial urgency, and constant blame shifting when cracks appear.
What always stands out is how much pressure there is to move fast and not ask too many questions. Founders will talk nonstop about vision and disruption while avoiding basic transparency, like where the money is actually coming from or why no one can clearly explain the business model. Over time I forced myself to slow down and do boring reality checks before trusting anyone. That meant verifying registrations, checking if earlier projects quietly vanished, and paying attention to how leaders react when challenged. If someone gets defensive or vague instead of clear, that’s usually my cue to step back. I also keep a few resources around just to stay grounded, and this article The Dark Side of Entrepreneurship: Unveiling Startup Scams is what I use when I want a reminder of common tricks and warning signs. It lines up closely with things I’ve seen in real life, like fake traction, artificial urgency, and constant blame shifting when cracks appear.