Why Entrepreneurship Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint: The Grit Behind Building Companies

The myth of the overnight startup success is just that—a myth. Andrew Yang’s Smart People Should Build Things peels back the curtain on the demanding reality of entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship is fundamentally about building organizations. It requires solving countless small problems, managing teams, raising funds, and adapting to setbacks. More than half of new companies fail within their first three years, underscoring the difficulty of the journey.

Success is rarely instantaneous. Most founders achieve growth through steady, incremental improvements, learning from failures and iterating their products and strategies. The ability to persist through uncertainty and maintain focus on long-term goals is critical.

Leadership evolves as companies grow. Founders must shift from doing tasks themselves to setting vision, building culture, and empowering others. This transition demands humility, patience, and strong communication.

The book provides vivid examples of entrepreneurs who faced rejection, financial strain, and operational challenges but persevered to build impactful companies.

For aspiring founders, understanding this marathon mindset is essential. It prepares them for the realities ahead and helps build resilience.

Further insights and detailed stories can be found in the book and related resources such as Blinkist summaries, Amazon reviews, Reddit discussions, and IEEE USA analyses.[[0]](#__0) [[1]](#__1) [[2]](#__2) [[3]](#__3)