# Where were you when I was broke?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/startup-therapy-919044/where-were-you-when-i-was-broke
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/startup-therapy-919044/where-were-you-when-i-was-broke.md
Podcast: [Startup Therapy](https://stenobird.com/podcast/startup-therapy-919044)
Published: 2026-06-30T15:29:07+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/354daf70
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/354daf70/53b27997.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/startup-therapy-919044/episodes/where-were-you-when-i-was-broke
Duration seconds: 2932

## Resource

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/

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## Transcript

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