059: Mark Cuban – Don’t Start a Company Unless

“Don’t start a company unless it’s an obsession and something you love. If you have an exit strategy, it’s not an obsession.” – Mark Cuban

This was drawn by A. Kelly. Check out his work at his blog.

Mark Cuban, is an maverick entrepreneur and one of the most controversial billionaires around. He’s the kind of person who equals business with sport or war. He is a regular face on Shark Tank, the venture capital pitch show. We have another comic on another of Mark Cuban’s quotes.

This comic might need a bit of backstory. If you are familiar with the “point of no return“/”burn bridges behind you”/”burn ships behind you” expressions, you will understand this comic. Throughout history, there have been stories of military leaders asking their followers to destroy their path of retreat. With no way of retreat, the armies fought with more vigor and zest because it became victory or die trying, there would be no retreat.

This comic re-envisions the idea of no retreat. A lot of startups, especially those started by people with day jobs, often crumble because the founders have a form of retreat. Founders with day jobs end up just sticking to their jobs. This is why many startup founders “burn their ships” by dropping out of college or quit their jobs. In the comic, the startup team focuses all their efforts on getting funding. Many startups in real life have come to the point where either they get funding or they go bust.

This comic is similar to our Julius Caeser: “Let the die be cast” comic.

If you are sitting on the fence about going further with your startup, then take these words to heart. Personally, I’d still recommend caution and a look before you leap approach. If you are going to take the plunge, at least make it an informed and strategic decision.

If you have a personal “burn the ships” success story, let me know in the comments below.

And of course, don’t forget to subscribe to Rational Comics. New comics every Monday.