Got a Startup Idea? Here's What It Really Takes to Make It Work Having a great idea is only the starting line.
By William Chung Edited by Maria Bailey
Key Takeaways
- What separates dreamers from doers is the relentless execution — the daily grind, tough decisions, and long-term commitment it takes to turn vision into reality.
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In the startup world, great ideas are everywhere. But turning an idea into something real? That's rare. And sticking with it long enough to make a real dent? That's where most people give up.
When I started my latest venture, I believed I had a solid idea. Maybe I did. But I quickly learned the truth: the idea is only 5% of the journey. The other 95% is execution — showing up every day, fixing what's broken, listening to feedback and grinding through the not-so-glamorous parts of building something from nothing.
Here's what I've learned the hard way:
1. You didn't create the problem, but you still have to solve it
Spotting a problem in the world isn't hard. Many founders are motivated by something they've experienced or seen firsthand. We chose to take on a broken job marketplace. That was the easy part — seeing the gap.
The real challenge is building a solution that works and scales. It takes time, patience and iteration. The "how" behind your idea is your true differentiator — and it's the part that requires the most effort, testing, pivoting and perseverance.
Related: Got an Awesome New Business Idea? Here's What to Do Next.
2. 'I had that idea too; doesn't matter
You'll hear it: "Oh yeah, I thought of that years ago." Maybe they did. But ideas are cheap — execution is where value is built.
There's a graveyard full of great ideas that never got off the ground. Execution, even when it's messy and unpredictable, is what gives your idea a heartbeat.
3. Startup life is less glamorous than it looks
People imagine startups as pitch meetings, product launches and buzz. In reality, it's writing support docs at midnight, testing referral flows that don't work, replying to user complaints, tweaking landing pages, managing customer feedback — all while building operational systems in the background.
It's not flashy. It's a consistent, often invisible effort.
As a self-funded founder, I feel every dollar spent. I juggle a day job and burn early mornings and late nights trying to move the needle. The sacrifice is real — emotionally, financially and mentally. But the progress, however small, is what keeps you going.
4. How long is the long game?
Here's a truth most founders underestimate: meaningful traction takes time. Sometimes a lot of it. Most startups don't see real growth for 12–24 months. Sometimes more.
You need to ask yourself: Can I stay committed, aligned and focused for the next 1,000 days? Even when it feels like nothing is working? Even when others stop believing?
As a founder, your belief has to carry the weight for your team, your customers, your family and yourself.
Startups don't fail only because of bad ideas. They fail because people misjudge how long and hard the road really is, and give up too early.
Related: Have a Business Idea? Here's How To Put It into Action.
The real test isn't the idea — it's the grind
If you're thinking about launching something, ask yourself this:
"Am I ready to go into full execution mode for the next 1,000 days — through all the friction, feedback and potential failure?"
Only you can answer that. But answering it honestly may be the most important part of your startup journey.
