Ever notice how people show up loudest after you’ve already won? This episode digs into why founders often get the least support when the risk is highest—and the most opinions once success is “de-risked.” Will shares early moments of having virtually no safety net (including starting with $19, dropping out, and getting doubted), contrasted with the few timely “bricks” that actually changed his trajectory—like a risky $10K loan and a friend’s family offering a place to stay for the holidays. They unpack how funding wins, press, and exits attract late-arriving fans, opportunists, and advice that can derail post-success decisions, and why founders should take inventory of who truly showed up when things looked impossible—and be that kind of support for other founders.

00:39 Elon Money Opinions
02:55 Guidance Counselor Doubt
04:13 Early Support Matters
05:44 Nineteen Dollars Start
06:53 Ten Thousand Loan
09:55 Wide Angle Victory
10:38 Doubt Chokes Founders
11:38 Young Founder Respect
14:59 I Told You So Bias
18:49 Funding Round Whiplash
20:20 Recruiters Disappear
21:30 Success Rewrites History
23:03 Sam Altman Backlash
25:40 Founders After Success
28:32 Timing Is Support
32:00 Must Be Nice Myth
35:56 Bricks in Foundation

Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast
https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy
Website
https://www.startups.com/begin
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/

Join our Network of Top Founders
Wil Schroter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/
Ryan Rutan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/