Start-Ups - Should We Learn From Mistakes?

BabylonMink asks: "I have been involved in 2 start-ups from day 1. Both have, at one point, run into major financial problems (don't they all?) and one actually closed operations 4 months into the venture. The second just chopped staff by 60% and I ran while I could. I am now in a position to join another start-up. Admittedly, I have looked at their business plan with cautious, almost suspicious, eyes and my initial instinct is to ask them if they have missed the last 3 months of NASDAQ hell, VC cowardice and major corp. market domination. So, should one be weary of start-ups if recent experiences have been prematurely ended due to financial problems (especially in the current climate) or should one bite the bullet and throw your life into a start-up and plan to get out when I can if things look hairy?" Start-ups are a risk, but they can be profitable ones, and I think the best thing one can do when assesing whether to join one is to: "Use your head." Take a look at the company you are thinking about joining and if you feel good about the work you will be doing, and if the company looks healty, then a start-up is as good as any other company. Also, being prepared to leave a sinking company is a good thing to do for any job, whether it be a start-up, or a major corporation, so it would be better to have contingency plans in place when changing employment...just in case.

"I believe that this new start-up might be different as they are trying to develop and market a physical product and not jump on the e-commerce or software bandwagon. It has also been my experience that no matter what happens, the experience of being involved with a start-up is always positive and a major learning curve. I also enjoy the atmosphere more than a corp. conveyor belt."