I just came across a post by Evan Williams (founder of Blogger & Odeo) titled Ten Rules for Web Startups. Considering Evan’s past success, his list is definitely worth reading. Much of what he has to say certainly resonates in today’s environment. I especially look at #5, #6, and #9 on the list and see how those fit into the launch of Burrp.com. Anyone who wants to run a successful business in any market will have to place importance on #5. The customers/users ARE THE BUSINESS! Without them being confident about the product, there is no chance in hell! I see Web 2.0 startups get too deep into implementing the “latest” technological feats that they often forget the value add. The users need to drive the technology, not the other way around.

#6 on the list is a key component of endurance. Without passion and belief in what one is doing, how are you expected to put in those 14 hour days? Burrp! was founded from our own frustrations as users on the web. We wanted to build this product not only for everyone out there, but for ourselves as well.

Finally #9 is something I always have and always will expect to deal with in anything and everything from business to my personal relationships. I once heard a great quote by a physicist along the lines of this: “The key to success is learning to fail fast!”. I think #9 on Evan’s list certainly embodies this. You will fail! Expect to fail! But don’t stop innovating! Make changes, be ready to make changes, embrace change. Be nimble and able to move directions quickly. As Evan said, some of the best ideas we have today evolved out of “failures” or something else entirely.