salesthrowaway3

My flippant answer is ask Bill Gates about that. It seemed to work out.

But in reality, as long as you're somewhat honest in the sales process, it'll still work out better to talk to potential customers as early as possible. Maybe the dogma has changed, but doesn't YC say to talk to your early users/customers as early as possible, and if you dont have anyone like that to talk to, how are you even building this thing you have no connection to?

Reminds me a bit of the actors that tell you they finally broke it big because they didn't quit, or that they made it right before they ran out of money.

That's great and a nice story, but it doesn't take into account the many more that really did run out of money and got into a real tough situation, or didnt quit and just kept trying til their time was over.

I have an extensive sales background and also an entry level software developer that worked for years at a coworking office while getting my solo miniSaas off the ground.

I tried over and over to explain to other founders that they REALLY should think about sales early. I'd try to say "Ok imagine your product is done magically. It works great. Now what?"

And it was interesting to see them struggle to think of what they would actually do if it was done.