Have unwavering faith in yourself, despite the doubts that may arise from within or be projected onto you by others. Doubt and disbelief will inevitably surround you, but resisting their influence is key to your success. Stay committed to believing in yourself, regardless of the challenges, and persevere. This is the foremost advice I offer to first-time founders or anyone pursuing their own path.

In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, one invaluable piece of advice stands out: be utterly obsessed with your customer. This philosophy has been pivotal in the success of ventures like Conquer, where founders like Matt and I have made it a priority to stay intimately connected with our target audience. From hosting games on our platform to engaging in extensive competitor research, we've immersed ourselves in understanding their needs and desires. In today's startup landscape, where launching a business is facilitated by an array of tools and resources, the real challenge lies in creating something truly desirable amidst the noise of countless offerings. This underscores the crucial importance of knowing your customer inside out, as ultimately, you're crafting a product for them. My advice? Dive deep into understanding your customer, embrace their problems, engage with them relentlessly, and iterate swiftly. Despite your assumptions, it's the market that ultimately dictates what's in demand and what's not. Therefore, staying closely attuned to your target demographic is paramount in tailoring your product to their exact specifications.

In the world of entrepreneurship, there's a game-changing book that many might have heard of: "Who, Not How." This book has become a go-to recommendation for me when I meet or speak to new entrepreneurs. Why? Because it highlights the importance of not trying to do everything yourself.

Building a successful business isn't about being a lone ranger; it's about assembling the right team to help you grow. This concept of finding the right people for the right tasks is crucial for any budding entrepreneur.

Another key lesson I've learned on my journey is the importance of patience and realistic expectations. When I first started, I was full of enthusiasm, thinking success would come overnight. But reality hit hard. Building a business takes time—a lot of it.

So, if you're starting your entrepreneurial journey, remember this: don't try to do it all alone, and be patient with your progress. Success will come, but it's a journey, not a sprint.